Linda McMahon. That’s the answer to the question you probably just typed into a search bar. Since March 3, 2025, she has been the 13th United States Secretary of Education, serving under the second Trump administration.
Honestly, it's a wild transition from the previous era. You might remember Miguel Cardona, who was basically the face of the department during the Biden years. He left office on January 20, 2025. Now, McMahon is at the helm, and her tenure is... well, it’s a lot different.
If you’re just here for the name, there you go. But if you want to know why her appointment actually matters for your kid’s school or your student loans, stick around. This isn't just a "who's who" in Washington. It's a massive shift in how the federal government views your local classroom.
Who Exactly is Linda McMahon?
Most people hear "McMahon" and immediately think of the WWE. And yeah, she was the co-founder and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. She helped turn a regional wrestling promotion into a global, multibillion-dollar media empire.
But her resume isn't just about "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or WrestleMania.
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McMahon has been in the political orbit for a long time. She served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) from 2017 to 2019. Before that, she was on the Connecticut State Board of Education and spent 16 years as a trustee at Sacred Heart University.
So, while critics call her a "wrestling mogul," her supporters point to her experience as a job creator and a policy advocate. She’s essentially a "business-first" administrator who thinks the education system should run more like a talent pipeline for the economy.
The Big Goal: Sending Education Back to the States
Here is where things get interesting—and a little controversial.
McMahon didn't take this job to grow the Department of Education. She basically took it to dismantle it. Throughout 2025 and into early 2026, she’s been on what she calls the "Returning Education to the States" tour.
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Basically, the philosophy is this: Washington, D.C. shouldn't be telling a school in rural Idaho or downtown Miami how to run its business. McMahon argues that the federal government’s role should be shrunk, and the power (and the money) should go back to state governors and local school boards.
- Universal School Choice: This is her "North Star." She wants federal funding to follow the student, not the school system. If a parent wants to send their kid to a private, charter, or religious school, McMahon wants the tax dollars to go with them.
- Abolishing the Department? President Trump has talked openly about closing the Department of Education entirely. McMahon hasn't shuttered the doors yet, but she has already proposed 15% budget cuts and consolidated several federal programs.
- Civic Literacy: Lately, she’s been pushing a "History Rocks!" initiative. It’s a 50-state tour focused on "patriotic education" and the principles of the American founding.
What This Means for Students and Parents
If you're a parent, you’ve probably noticed the tone of the conversation has shifted.
Under the previous administration, there was a big focus on student loan forgiveness and Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students. Under Secretary McMahon, the priorities have flipped.
- Student Loans: The "all-hands-on-deck" approach to mass loan forgiveness is over. The department is now focused on "targeted" relief and making the FAFSA system more efficient, but you won't see the same kind of aggressive debt cancellation we saw in the early 2020s.
- Title IX and Culture Wars: There is a major legal tug-of-war happening right now. McMahon’s department has pushed for "Parental Rights" policies, asserting that schools must be transparent about "gender plans." This has led to massive clashes with groups like the Congressional Equality Caucus.
- Career and Technical Education (CTE): This is one area where both sides actually tend to find some common ground. McMahon is obsessed with skills-based learning. She wants more high schoolers to graduate with a certificate in welding, nursing, or coding rather than just a general diploma.
Why People are Divided
It’s no secret that her appointment was a lightning rod. She was confirmed by the Senate in a 51–45 vote—very close, very partisan.
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Teachers' unions, like the National Education Association (NEA), have been her loudest critics. They’ve called her "Betsy DeVos 2.0," arguing that her "school choice" plan is just a way to drain money from public schools that already have it tough. They worry that rural schools and students with disabilities will be the ones who suffer if the federal safety net is pulled away.
On the flip side, school choice advocates are thrilled. They see her as a disruptor who is finally breaking the "monopoly" of the public school system. They think the system has been stagnant for decades and needs a business-minded shake-up.
Actionable Insights: What Should You Do Now?
The Secretary of Education might seem like a distant figure in D.C., but the policies McMahon is pushing will hit home sooner than you think.
- Watch Your State Legislature: Since the goal is to "return education to the states," the real action is happening in your state capital. Keep an eye on local bills regarding "vouchers" or "Education Savings Accounts." That’s where the federal money might be headed.
- Check the FAFSA Deadlines: Despite the political noise, the Department of Education still runs the financial aid system. They’ve been testing the 2026-27 FAFSA forms earlier than usual to avoid the glitches of the past. If you have a college-bound kid, get on that early.
- Engage with Your School Board: If you care about curriculum—whether it's "patriotic history" or "gender identity" policies—the Department of Education is currently empowering local boards to make those calls. Show up to the meetings. Your voice actually carries more weight now than it did a few years ago because the federal government is stepping back.
The Department of Education is in a state of flux. Whether it survives the next few years in its current form is anyone's guess. But for now, Linda McMahon is the one holding the keys.
Next Steps for You:
Check your state's Department of Education website to see if they have applied for new federal "Innovation Grants" or "School Choice" pilot programs. These are the primary vehicles the McMahon administration is using to redistribute federal funds to the state level. Be sure to review the 2026-27 FAFSA updates if you are planning for higher education, as the "phased rollout" system is currently in effect to prevent technical delays.