Linda McMahon Confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of Education

On Monday, the GOP-led Senate confirmed Linda McMahon to become secretary of the Education Department, a federal agency that President Donald Trump has indicated he wants to dismantle in favor of giving states more power in running schools.

Senators voted 51-45 to approve McMahon, who is now the 20th Cabinet pick to be confirmed by the upper chamber and the 21st overall nominee for a leading role; Kash Patel got the nod to become FBI Director, which is not a Cabinet-level role.

“It’s an honor to serve as the 13th Secretary of Education under President Trump,” McMahon said on X with a photo of her being sworn in.

“@POTUS pledged to make U.S. education the best in the world, return education to the states, and free students from bureaucracy through school choice. I intend to make good on those promises.”

McMahon is a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment who served as administrator of the Small Business Administration in Trump’s first term and went on to become chair of the board at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI).

In November, Trump tapped McMahon to become his Education Secretary, saying she would “fight tirelessly” for school choice. That might seem like an odd move as Trump signaled that he wants to deconstruct the Education Department, but the president told reporters last month that he wants McMahon to “put herself out of the job.”

McMahon appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee a couple of weeks ago. The nominee, who testified that she intended to help Trump reach his goal of making “American education the best in the world, return education to the states — where it belongs,” advanced through a 12-11 vote.

HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) praised McMahon for her focus on reviving the American education system. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the ranking member, raised concerns about diverting funds away from public schools and the nominee’s lack of experience in the field beyond roughly a year on the Connecticut State Board of Education.

“School districts and individual schools have different needs, and every student has his or her own needs and aspirations too,” Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said.

“I’m glad that Linda McMahon plans to work in a way that empowers those closest to the student – because they are in the best position to do what’s right for those individual needs.”