Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States who has advocated for the abolition of the Department of Education, has nominated former Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon as the next Secretary of Education.
On the 19th (local time), Trump announced the nomination in a statement, saying, "As Secretary of Education, McMahon will tirelessly fight to expand 'choice' in every state across America and enable parents to decide the best education for their families."
He explained that McMahon has fiercely advocated for parental rights as chairwoman of the board of the American First Policy Institute (AFPI) over the past four years and has worked to achieve universal school choice that provides children in 12 states with opportunities for excellent education regardless of residence or income. Additionally, he introduced her experience serving on the Connecticut State Board of Education and as a university trustee.
Trump emphasized, "Based on decades of leadership experience and a deep understanding of education and business, she will empower the next generation of American students and workers and make the United States the world's leading education nation."
McMahon, co-chair of the presidential transition team, was initially considered a candidate for Secretary of Commerce in the second Trump administration. However, after Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and co-chair of the transition team, was appointed Secretary of Commerce on the same day, McMahon began to be considered for Secretary of Education.
Looking at her main career, there is little related to education. She is a businesswoman who co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with her husband Vince McMahon. In the first Trump administration, she led the Small Business Administration. She stepped down as WWE CEO to enter politics and ran twice for the U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut. However, in both 2010 and 2012, she was defeated by Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, respectively. The Guardian described her as "relatively unknown in the education sector."
McMahon, a longtime supporter of Trump, served as chairwoman of the super PAC American First Action to help Trump's 2020 re-election campaign. Even after losing to Democratic candidate Joe Biden in the last presidential election, she assisted in preparing for Trump's return to the White House. She also donated large sums to the election fund in this election.
Previously, Trump had pledged to abolish the federal Department of Education. CNN reported that this would require congressional action and noted that Trump did not mention what would happen to education programs funded by federal funds. One of the Department of Education's main responsibilities is managing funds allocated by Congress to schools, as well as federal student loans and financial aid programs.
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