President-elect Donald Trump officially announced on Tuesday night that Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and co-chair of the Trump-Vance transition team, will serve as his Secretary of Education. McMahon’s nomination underscores Trump’s commitment to prioritizing school choice and returning control of education to the states.
In a statement released by his office, Trump highlighted McMahon’s extensive leadership experience and her advocacy for parents’ rights and universal school choice. As Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), McMahon has been instrumental in advancing education reforms that prioritize parental decision-making and equitable access to quality education, regardless of zip code or income.
Actually, I think education will improve
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024
Trump’s announcement emphasized McMahon’s two years on the Connecticut Board of Education, where she oversaw public education in the state, including its technical high school system. Additionally, her 16 years on the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut reflect her long-standing commitment to improving educational outcomes. McMahon also brings her experience as SBA Administrator from 2017-2019 and her tenure leading America First Action PAC, making her a well-rounded candidate with a blend of educational and business expertise.
Trump praised McMahon as a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights” and noted her leadership in achieving universal school choice in 12 states. He stated that as Secretary of Education, McMahon would work tirelessly to expand school choice nationwide and empower parents to make the best decisions for their children’s education.
The Pentagon failed its 7th straight audit. Our healthcare system siphons billions into waste & fraud. Our Dept of Education blows $$ without accountability. Unelected bureaucrats are the core problem. DOGE is coming. pic.twitter.com/OmtP81i3ch
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 17, 2024
Central to McMahon’s mission will be Trump’s broader goal of dismantling the federal Department of Education and returning control to state governments. Trump’s statement emphasized this priority: “We will send education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort.” The announcement aligns with ongoing calls within the Republican Party to reduce federal overreach in education, citing the stagnation and decline in America’s global education rankings since the department’s establishment during the Carter administration.
School choice remains a cornerstone of Trump’s education platform. McMahon’s nomination continues the work of former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who also championed school choice and parental empowerment. DeVos recently stated that dismantling the Department of Education would require congressional cooperation but stressed the necessity of addressing inefficiencies and bureaucracy within the system.
The Pentagon failed its 7th consecutive audit (budget: $826B). The Department of Education just failed to receive a clean audit for its 3rd time in a row (budget: $268B). USDA showed significant deficiencies across multiple divisions (budget: $203B). Auditors declined to give a…
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 19, 2024
McMahon’s selection comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to reimagine government efficiency. Last week, Trump tasked Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), signaling a shift toward streamlining federal agencies. Both Musk and Ramaswamy have publicly criticized the Department of Education’s performance, adding momentum to calls for significant restructuring or elimination of the agency.
McMahon’s nomination signals a significant shift in federal education policy, with a renewed focus on decentralization, parental rights, and choice. While some critics may question the feasibility of eliminating the Department of Education, McMahon’s role as Secretary will likely involve laying the groundwork for such reforms, advocating for state-led solutions, and reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies.
