The Education Agenda of Linda McMahon is advocate-backed, hailing from a conservative political organization.
Trump's Education Nominee, Linda McMahon, Faces Scrutiny Over Qualifications and Controversial Background
At a time when the incoming Trump administration is arting controversy and questioning the qualifications of its cabinet nominees, Linda McMahon's selection as the pick for US Department of Education head has flown under the radar. McMahon, known for co-running World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with her husband Vince McMahon, lacks a robust background in education.
Despite holding a teaching certificate, McMahon has never actually taught. Her tenure on the Connecticut Board of Education, gained through an appointment from then-Governor Jodi Rell, a politically connected friend, ended when the Hartford Courant uncovered that she had lied about possessing an education degree on her resume. The WWE has also been embroiled in an alleged sexual-abuse scandal involving "ring boys," yet McMahon and her husband deny the accusations in the ongoing lawsuit.
McMahon's nomination appears unstoppable due to her credentials beyond her education background. She served as the head of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), the primary policy network for MAGA governance under Trump. The AFPI produced a detailed blueprint for Trump's return to power, including permanent tax cuts and removal of civil service employees deemed insufficiently MAGA. In addition to McMahon, Trump has tapped other AFPI figures for cabinet positions, such as EPA nominee Lee Zeldin, Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins (AFPI's president and CEO), and Georgia chapter chair Doug Collins, picked for the Department of Veteran's Affairs.
Given the Department of Education's right-wing critics' long-standing opposition to federal oversight of locally run schools, McMahon's nomination carries significant implications. If confirmed, she may push for a further reduction in federal funding, expansion of school choice, and a redoubled effort to audit and streamline grant programs. McMahon is expected to focus on basic subjects like math, reading, science, and history while potentially dismantling programs related to migrant students, incarcerated children, and comprehensive literacy. Notably, her policy agenda closely aligns with the objectives of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which advocates for reduced federal government intervention in education and empowering families and communities.
In the context of the Trump administration's cabinet nominations facing scrutiny, McMahon's qualifications for the Education Department position have raised questions, given her lack of teaching experience and controversy surrounding her background at World Wrestling Entertainment. However, McMahon's nomination may succeed due to her involvement with the America First Policy Institute, a leading policy network for Trump's administration, suggesting a potential focus on policy and legislation related to education-and-self-development, including general-news topics such as school choice and federal funding, with a potential dismantling of programs related to specific groups, such as migrant students.
