Linda McMahon Faces Senate Grilling Over Education Department Changes

On February 13, 2025, Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, found herself at the center of a tense Senate hearing. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee was tasked with questioning her about the administration’s controversial plans to potentially dismantle the Department of Education, a move Trump has openly advocated for.

Trump’s Vision for the Education Department

Trump has been vocal for years about his desire to eliminate the Department of Education.

Just a day before the hearing, he called for it to be shut down immediately, labeling it a “con job.” McMahon, nominated to lead this department, was put on the spot to explain the administration’s vision for it.

During the hearing, she revealed that the administration, in collaboration with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was conducting an audit of the department.

Concerns Over Private Data and Funding

One of the key points of contention came when Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) questioned McMahon about DOGE’s potential access to private student data.

McMahon suggested that DOGE staff, now part of the Education Department, would operate under strict regulations regarding data access.

However, Murray was skeptical, warning that lawmakers were not aware of who these staff members were, which could pose a risk to students’ private information.

The issue of funding also came up.

McMahon was asked whether the administration would adhere to Congressional appropriations.

She acknowledged that they would, but she argued that reviewing programs before money is spent could help ensure more efficient use of resources.

Markey Critiques the Administration’s Plans

Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) strongly criticized Trump’s push to dismantle the department.

He pointed out that Trump’s rhetoric about “waste, fraud, and corruption” was often used as a cover for cuts to public education.

Markey didn’t hold back, calling the DOGE’s involvement in education a “Department of Gutting Education.

” He pressed McMahon to commit to protecting public education funding, especially in light of tax cuts for the wealthy.

McMahon defended the administration’s actions, claiming that they were focused on rooting out wasteful spending rather than cutting educational programs.

The Future of Education Under McMahon

McMahon’s opening statement touched on troubling trends in U.S. education, like the decline in math and reading scores.

She attributed these issues to an over-concentration of power within the education system, calling for more “education freedom” and empowering parents and states.

While she didn’t directly address Trump’s push to close the department, she echoed his belief in returning control of education to the states.

The Path Forward for the Department of Education

Despite the heated questioning, McMahon maintained that her goal was not to defund education but to make it run more efficiently.

When asked by Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) whether closing the department would require Congressional approval, McMahon confirmed it would.

However, she stressed that the administration’s goal was to streamline, not eliminate, educational services.

Questions About Civil Rights and Oversight

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) raised concerns about how the department would maintain oversight of education programs if it were abolished or restructured.

McMahon reassured her that funding for educational programs would continue through state education departments and that there would be no reduction in these funds.

She also suggested that programs like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or the Office for Civil Rights might be better handled by other agencies, such as the Justice Department, though she wasn’t certain.

Surreal Moments and Protest Disruptions

At one point during the hearing, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) described the session as “surreal,” particularly when McMahon discussed the protection of Jewish students on college campuses while supporting Trump’s plan to dismantle the department responsible for such protections.

The hearing was also interrupted several times by protesters advocating for the protection of public schools, as well as vulnerable groups like immigrants and transgender youth.

This confirmation hearing was a crucial moment in determining the future direction of the Department of Education under a Trump administration, leaving many questions unanswered about its fate.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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