School choice optimism grows as Republicans back Trump’s pick for ed secretary ahead of confirmation hearing

Expand school choice, send education back to the states, and eventually, put herself out of a job.

Those are the hopes Republicans have for President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Education, Linda McMahon, who will testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee during her confirmation hearing on Thursday.

A slew of Republican lawmakers, citing school choice and parental rights, have expressed support for McMahon to lead the department that Trump seeks to dismantle.

McMahon, a former professional wrestling executive who led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, previously chaired the America First Policy Institute’s board and served on the Connecticut Board of Education.

“I want her to put herself out of a job,” Trump told a reporter who asked why he would nominate McMahon as education secretary when he wants to get rid of the entire department. “We spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, and we’re ranked at the bottom of the list. We’re ranked very badly. And what I want to do is let the states run schools.”  

When Trump announced McMahon as his nominee in November, he praised her expertise in both business and education, promising that as education secretary she will “fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America” and empower families to make education decisions that fit their children best. 

“Her most important qualification is her private-sector experience,” said Ed Patru, a friend and former spokesperson for McMahon, the Associated Press reported. “The public’s perception of what constitutes a qualified candidate has changed dramatically. Americans are more distrustful of government.” 

McMahon is expected to face pushback from Democratic lawmakers who are wary of what they say are her “lack of experience” and “extreme views.” 

“You have a minimal track record on education issues and strikingly little experience pertaining to education policy,” Democratic Sens. Andy Kim and Elizabeth Warren wrote in a letter to McMahon ahead of the hearing, which included a list of 65 questions about how willing she is to carry out Trump’s education goals. 

However, several Republican senators have met with McMahon and publicly backed her for the position. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said she will be an “outstanding partner” for Trump. 

“President Trump is right to view the current federal Department of Education as part of the problem not the solution,” Graham wrote on X. “Linda is a highly successful businesswoman who is trusted by President Trump, and she will be able to hit the ground running to implement the Trump agenda. Linda should sail through the Senate confirmation.” 

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, said she discussed with McMahon how to rectify the Biden administration’s “FAFSA debacle” as well as how to combat antisemitism in higher education. 

Utah Sen. Mike Lee said McMahon will “put students and their families first, promote school choice and freedom in education, and keep woke propaganda out of America’s classrooms.”