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In a 51-45 party-line vote, the Senate confirmed Linda McMahon as the 13th U.S. Secretary of Education on Monday. A Trump loyalist and former Small Business Administration (SBA) head, McMahon has pledged to execute President Donald Trump’s vision of restructuring—or even dismantling—the Department of Education.
McMahon was sworn in immediately following the vote, taking charge of a department that Trump has said should ultimately “put itself out of a job.”
A Mission to Shrink the Education Department
McMahon’s confirmation signals a dramatic shift in federal education policy. She will lead efforts to:
✅ Reduce the Department of Education’s footprint in favor of state and local control
✅ Expand school choice programs such as charter schools and voucher initiatives
✅ Eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools and universities
✅ Cut federal education funding as part of Trump’s push to downsize bureaucracy
“The Department will be focused on advancing education freedom, not building up government-run systems,” McMahon said in a statement. “We will empower states and districts to have more say in what is working on the ground for students instead of bureaucratic edicts from Washington.”
GOP Praises McMahon’s Leadership, Cites Declining Test Scores
Republicans, who unanimously supported McMahon’s confirmation, argue that drastic changes are necessary due to:
📉 Declining student test scores following pandemic-related learning losses
📌 Rising concerns over antisemitism on college campuses
💰 Federal student aid mismanagement
“Under the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of Education focused on everything but student success,” said Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.). “We need a strong leader … Secretary McMahon is the right person for the job.”
Democrats Warn of Public School Funding Cuts
Democrats strongly opposed McMahon’s confirmation, arguing that Trump’s proposed education cuts would harm public schools, increase property taxes, and exacerbate inequality.
📢 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned:
👉 “If the Trump administration follows through on cuts to education, schools will lose billions in funding.”
👉 “What’s going to happen to Mr. and Mrs. Average American taxpayer? Your property taxes will go up—the least popular tax there is.”
McMahon, however, maintains that the administration will present a transition plan for the department’s future that lawmakers “could get on board with.”
Comparisons to Previous Education Secretaries
McMahon’s partisan confirmation reflects the highly polarized nature of education policy today.
📌 In 2017, Betsy DeVos faced a similarly contentious confirmation process, requiring the vice president’s tie-breaking vote.
📌 By contrast, McMahon’s 2017 confirmation as SBA administrator was overwhelmingly bipartisan (81-19)—highlighting the greater controversy surrounding education reforms.
What’s Next?
With McMahon in charge, the Trump administration will now push forward with:
✅ Proposals to reduce or eliminate the Education Department
✅ A legislative push for expanded school choice programs
✅ Further cuts to federal education spending
McMahon’s confirmation marks the beginning of a major overhaul of the U.S. education system—one that will face fierce resistance from Democrats and state-level battles over funding and curriculum.
