Linda McMahon Outlines Plan to Dismantle Department of Education, Return Control to States
Linda McMahon, in her inaugural action as Secretary of Education, has informed Department of Education (DoEd) employees of her intention to spearhead the dissolution of the department, returning educational oversight to the states. This initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s promise to eliminate the department, a move McMahon describes as a "momentous final mission."
In a letter disseminated to DoEd employees, and first obtained by Fox News Digital, McMahon emphasized the need for a "new era of accountability" and a commitment to respecting the will of the American people and the President they elected. She stressed the importance of quickly and responsibly eliminating bureaucratic bloat within the department.
McMahon acknowledged that the restructuring of the department would have a profound impact on staff, budgets, and agency operations. She outlined three core convictions that would guide the department’s work under her leadership:
- Parental Primacy: Parents are the primary decision-makers in their children’s education.
- Focus on Core Subjects: Taxpayer-funded education should prioritize meaningful learning in math, reading, science, and history, steering away from divisive DEI programs and gender ideology.
- Career-Oriented Post-Secondary Education: Post-secondary education should be a pathway to well-paying careers aligned with workforce needs.
McMahon asserted that removing red tape and bureaucratic barriers would empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children. She also expressed the belief that an effective transfer of educational oversight to the states would grant more autonomy to local communities. Furthermore, teachers would benefit from reduced micromanagement in the classroom, enabling them to concentrate on fundamental educational practices.
President Trump has unequivocally stated his intention to immediately close the DoEd, tasking McMahon with effectively eliminating her own position in the process. McMahon affirmed her alignment with the President’s vision, emphasizing her commitment to sending education back to the states and empowering all parents to choose an excellent education for their children.
The Department of Education’s role, according to McMahon, is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington. While the Trump administration would require congressional approval to eliminate the federal department, McMahon stated her intention to partner with the legislative branch to determine the optimal path forward to fulfill the expectations of the President and the American people. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy so that colleges, K-12 schools, students, and teachers can innovate and thrive.
McMahon drew upon her career experiences, stating that disruption leads to innovation and delivers results. She urged employees to view their final mission at the department as a transformative overhaul, a final opportunity to restore the culture of liberty and excellence that once defined American education.
The letter also lauded recent orders by the Trump administration to eliminate critical race theory (CRT), gender ideology, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), while restoring patriotic education and civics in schools. McMahon deemed this review of programs long overdue.
McMahon criticized the Department of Education’s performance, arguing that it is not functioning as intended. She highlighted that since its establishment in 1980, taxpayers have entrusted the department with over $1 trillion, yet student outcomes have consistently languished. She emphasized that American education has the potential to be the greatest in the world but should not be corrupted by political ideologies, special interests, and unjust discrimination. She asserted that parents, teachers, and students deserve better.
Having been confirmed by the Senate, McMahon encouraged employees to join the mission, emphasizing that this is an opportunity to perform a final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students. She expressed her hope that when the final mission is complete, they will all be able to say that they left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future.
The planned dismantling of the DoEd marks a significant shift in the federal government’s role in education. The move would reverse decades of increasing federal involvement in education policy and funding, returning primary control to state and local authorities. Proponents argue that this would lead to greater innovation and responsiveness to local needs, while critics express concerns about potential inequities and a weakening of national standards.
The success of this initiative hinges on Congressional approval and the ability of the Department to collaborate effectively with state and local education agencies during the transition period. It also remains to be seen how the elimination of the department would affect federal funding for education programs and the enforcement of civil rights laws in schools. The letter does not delve into the specifics of how funding or existing Federal Laws will be managed in the future under the new model.
