Trump Targets Department of Education with McMahon Nomination
November 20, 2024 | WASHINGTON (AP) – President-elect Donald Trump has expressed disdain for the federal Department of Education, describing it as infiltrated by “radicals” and calling for its dismantlement. His nominee to head the agency, Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, reflects his ambition to reshape education policy.
The Department plays a crucial financial role, distributing billions in federal funds to schools and colleges while managing a $1.5 trillion student loan portfolio. Trump’s administration intends to withhold federal funding from institutions perceived to promote "critical race theory" and similar curricula. These proposed cuts could significantly impact schools that rely on federal support for budgets, which currently account for approximately 14% of public school funding.
Trump’s campaign has laid out plans but offered limited details regarding student loans and financial aid, an area where Biden’s administration previously focused on debt cancellation aimed at relieving financial burdens on borrowers. The prospective Education Secretary’s civil rights approach may also diverge sharply from current standards, as Trump aims to redefine protections for LGBTQ+ students under Title IX and impose penalties on institutions using diversity-based programs.
Further, Trump endorses controversial changes to college accreditation processes, proposing to phase out "radical" accrediting agencies and reconsidering how federal funds are allocated to educational programs.
The Education Department’s multifaceted roles, including civil rights enforcement and financial aid management, may face fundamental changes under Trump. The shift could yield disruptive transitions in how educational standards and funding are administered across the nation.
As Trump prepares to take office, the future of federal education policy remains uncertain, poised for a significant overhaul that some fear could have wide-reaching impacts on American schools and colleges.
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