Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education, wouldn’t commit to using the department to protect the civil rights of students.
McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), is nominated at a time Trump wants to do away with the Department of Education altogether. Her nomination also comes amid far-right attacks on teachers and curriculum.
McMahon received multiple questions from Senators about how she would uphold civil rights protections as secretary.
One Senator, Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), became emotional when questioning McMahon.
“If you’re confirmed, how would you defend… all students’ civil rights,” Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester asked. “For example, how will you intervene if a student is being bullied on the basis of race or disability?”
“Bullying shouldn’t happen anywhere,” McMahon responded. “But the Department of Education doesn’t control that from Washington.”
McMahon stated she believes the Civil Right’s Office in the Department of Education could move to the Department of Justice.
During that same line of questioning, McMahon would not say whether private schools that take state or federal voucher money should face consequences for turning away students because of race, religion, or disability.
“If they believe that they can’t best serve that student, and they aren’t taking federal dollars, then they have the right not to accept that student.”
“This is important,” Senator Blunt Rochester said as she closed out her questioning. “Our students are important.”
The Senator paused for a moment to maintain her composure as she continued.
“I really hope that this administration, and that you, will recognize that there are students, there are teachers, there are parents that need the support and the help.”
McMahon doesn’t say whether or not she supports 25% budget cut to the Education Department’s Civil Right’s Office
Another freshman Senator, Andy Kim (D-NJ), mentioned that several civil rights attorneys within the department have been suddenly placed on leave since Trump took office. Many were investigating instances of antisemitism and other violations in public schools and universities.
Kim also noted Republicans have called for a 25% budget cut for the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights. He asked McMahon if she would support these types of cuts.
“I would want to see exactly what that impact is going to be and understand it,” McMahon said.
Kim then noted his frustration, stating “I feel like this is such a clear place where we can just say: yes, we want to make sure we have as much resources as possible to be able to fight antisemitism.”
“This whole debate that we are having right now, it feels like it’s untethered from the reality on the ground… as you proceed, remember that. Parents are very scared right now.”
Trump’s nominee named in lawsuit alleging she failed to protect minors from sexual abuse at the WWE
Linda McMahon previously served in the first Trump administration as the US Secretary of Commerce from 2017-2019. She also helped co-chair Trump’s inaugural committee.
McMahon and her husband are both currently named in an ongoing lawsuit against the WWE. The lawsuit claims Linda and Vince McMahon failed to act on allegations of sexual abuse of minors by WWE employees.
According to NBC news, one of the sisters of the reported victims said McMahon “let a pedophile run through her company.”
“She knew better. It was her duty to report this to the police and have that man arrested.”
McMahon is expected to have the support of enough Republicans to be confirmed as the next Education Secretary.
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