Linda McMahon Faces Tough Questions at Education Secretary Confirmation Hearing Amid Trump’s Plans.
At her Senate confirmation, Linda McMahon defended education policies while addressing Trump’s controversial plans to diminish the Department of Education’s role.
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McMahon's scant experience in education was on display as she misstated, or failed to answer key questions about, federal education law.
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McMahon cited the decline of reading and math scores across the nation as another reason for dismantling the Education Department and trusting states to determine their curriculum and standards.
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Looming large over the hearing were the steps that Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) boss Elon Musk have already taken to pare down the Department of Education.
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As an antidote to the educational decline, McMahon prescribed less government intervention and emphasized the importance of empowering students, parents, and teachers rather than the bloated bureaucracy.
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The Trump administration, along with efficiency czar Elon Musk, is already moving forward with plans to dismantle the Department of Education, which McMahon would lead if confirmed.
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Unfortunately, the American education system has declined.
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Ultimately, President Trump said wants to see the DOE abolished and more power sent back to states and communities, and he has quipped that he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.”
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McMahon said she supports overhauling the department, but stressed that the Trump administration doesn’t intend to take money away from students.
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DOGE has been on a tirade to cut spending within the DOE, including terminating three grants in early February, one of which funded an institution that had hosted faculty workshops on "Decolonizing the Curriculum."
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Linda McMahon on Thursday outlined how key functions of the Education Department could be restructured to align with President Donald Trump's goal of dismantling the agency, pledging to "reorient" its operations while maintaining some of its largest programs.
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Eliminating the department altogether would be a cumbersome task; McMahon said she believed that would require action from Congress.
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However, she told Cassidy she is "all for the president's mission of returning education back to the states" and said the states would still receive federal funding.
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Mr. Trump has long suggested he wanted to shutter the Department of Education, and his willingness to dismantle much of the U.S. Agency for International Development suggests he could try to follow through on his threats to try to shut down the Education Department.
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CBS News·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.Eliminating the department altogether would be a cumbersome task; McMahon said she believed that would require action from Congress.
Trump's education secretary may be asked to dismantle the Education Department. Here's what it does
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Summary
At her Senate confirmation hearing as Education Secretary, Linda McMahon reiterated that any dismantlement of the Department of Education would involve Congress. While Trump seeks to streamline the Department, she assured senators that essential programs like Pell Grants and special education funding would remain intact. Amid significant protests and scrutiny regarding her limited education experience, McMahon struggled to answer questions about federal education laws. She expressed support for local control over education and stated that key policies, such as loan forgiveness programs, would continue. The Hearing's outcome will be voted on February 20.
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