President-elect Donald Trump is poised to appoint Linda McMahon as the head of the U.S. Department of Education, signaling a continuation of his commitment to reshape or potentially dismantle the agency altogether. McMahon, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of the WWE, has limited formal education experience but previously served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. Trump announced the appointment on social media, highlighting her business background and advocacy for parental rights and school choice.
During her brief tenure on the Connecticut State Board of Education from 2009 to 2010, McMahon expressed a long-held interest in education, citing her personal involvement with her children’s schooling and WWE initiatives that encouraged reading among students. Despite her lack of experience compared to others in the field, such as seasoned state superintendents, Trump appears to prioritize loyalty and consolidation of power over traditional qualifications in his cabinet selections.
Trump’s plans for the Education Department involve returning control to the states and possibly eliminating the federal agency, although such a move would require congressional approval and significant political maneuvering—challenges that may prove daunting given historical attempts to remove the department have not gained traction. Moreover, his initiatives, which include promoting patriotic curricula and curtailing diversity programs, would still necessitate some form of central administration to implement effectively.
Historically, Trump’s education approach featured Betsy DeVos, known for her strong advocacy for private schooling and deregulation. While she aimed for ambitious reforms, including tax credits for private education, many of her goals were thwarted by a lack of congressional support.
The potential appointment of McMahon may represent a new chapter in U.S. education policy. It could pave the way for a sharper focus on connecting education with workforce readiness, an area where bipartisan efforts might emerge. McMahon’s support for expanding Pell grants for short-term credential programs may serve as a foundation for collaborative policy-making in the future.
This development offers a glimpse into a shifting landscape of education governance. As the Biden administration navigated pandemic recovery and student loan issues, the incoming Trump administration might prioritize different strategies that reflect its unique ideologies. Such changes underscore the dynamic nature of U.S. educational policy, where each administration’s decisions impact the training and opportunities available to future generations.