NC native Linda McMahon moves closer to leading Department of Education
A North Carolina native made it through the first major hurdle Thursday to becoming the country’s next secretary of education.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee approved President Donald Trump’s nomination of Linda McMahon to lead the agency. The 12-11 vote was down party lines, with Democrats opposed.
McMahon’s nomination now heads to the Senate floor for approval by the entire body. If the majority of senators approve of McMahon, she will be sworn in to lead the agency.
But she’s also charged, by Trump, with dismantling it.
“I can’t vote for somebody who will willfully engage in the destruction of the very agency she is leading,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia. “That is disqualifying.”
But Chairman Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, urged Republicans to vote “yes” for McMahon. He stalled the vote to ensure he had enough of his colleagues in the hearing to push McMahon through.
“Throughout the nomination process, Ms. McMahon demonstrated a strong vision for the Department of Education,” Cassidy said. “She is committed to empowering parents and returning power to states and local communities, which, by the way, are best equipped to address students’ needs.”
Who is McMahon?
If confirmed, this will be the second time McMahon worked under Trump. During his first administration, she led the Small Business Administration.
McMahon, 76, grew up in New Bern, studied French at East Carolina University and co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment, with Vince McMahon, who she met during high school.
Opponents of her nomination raised concerns about her connections to WWE because of its violent, sexual and vulgar content and because of allegations that her negligence led to sexual abuse of minors working for her organization — allegations her lawyers denied.
McMahon’s testified before the the HELP committee a week earlier about why she is the right person to lead the Department of Education, which Trump has tasked her to dismantle.
“Ms. McMahon is steadfast in her determination to uphold the true meaning of Title IX, ensuring fairness for women and girls on the field and in the classroom,” Cassidy said. “She will hold colleges and universities accountable to protect all students from discrimination, including Jewish students, who have faced antisemitic violence and harassment since October the 7th (2023, when Hamas attacked Israel). Ms. McMahon is the partner this committee needs to improve the nation’s education system.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who often aligns with Democrats, said he likes McMahon personally, but opposes her nomination.
“I think that everybody in this committee understands that we are living in a time of massive income and wealth inequality, and the Department of Education provides vital resources for 26 million kids who live in high poverty school districts,” Sanders said. “These are the kids who most need our help. It is the responsibility of the federal government to see that every kid in America, whether you’re poor, middle class, rich; gets a quality education. In my view, it is. It really is a lot of what the Department of Education does. Is it a perfect entity? No. Is it bureaucratic? Yes. Can we reform it? Yes. Should we abolish it? No. “
Neither North Carolina senator serves on the Senate HELP Committee, but both have made favorable comments regarding her nomination, as has UNC System President Peter Hans.
This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM with the headline "NC native Linda McMahon moves closer to leading Department of Education."