Linda McMahon, nominated by President Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Education, expressed her commitment to the administration’s goal of dismantling the department during her Senate confirmation hearing held on February 13, 2025. This significant hearing raised concerns about the future of federal education funding, particularly for California, which relies heavily on federal support for K-12 education and college financial aid.
McMahon, a former wrestling executive, assured lawmakers that essential federal funding for low-income students would continue. She emphasized that programs like Title I, which provides critical funding to schools serving disadvantaged communities, and support for students with disabilities would remain intact. However, she acknowledged that the distribution of these funds could change if the department were to be dismantled.
The hearing took place against the backdrop of President Trump’s recent comments advocating for the immediate closure of the Education Department, labeling it a "big con job" given the substantial federal spending on education and the country’s disappointing performance in international education rankings. The department’s annual budget is approximately $79 billion, with California receiving around $16.3 billion, equating to about $2,748 per pupil.
McMahon’s remarks raised questions about how federal education funding would be managed without a dedicated department. While she stated that Title I funding would be protected, there is uncertainty regarding the level of oversight and accountability that would accompany these funds if the department were eliminated. Some education advocates worry that a lack of federal oversight could jeopardize the support provided to schools in need.
Additionally, McMahon highlighted her intent to support Pell Grants, which assist millions of low-income college students. She indicated a desire to expand these grants and potentially create similar programs for career and technical training outside traditional four-year universities. In the 2023-24 academic year, over 80,000 University of California students received approximately $454 million in Pell Grants, underscoring the importance of this funding for California’s higher education system.
The hearing also touched on civil rights protections in education. McMahon indicated that enforcement of civil rights laws could shift to the U.S. Department of Justice if the Education Department were to be dismantled. This change could have significant implications for how discrimination cases are handled in educational settings, particularly in the context of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination.
As the confirmation process continues, the stakes are high for California’s education system, which depends on federal funding for various programs aimed at supporting low-income students, students with disabilities, and promoting civil rights in education. The outcome of McMahon’s nomination could reshape the landscape of federal education policy and funding in the state and beyond.