Linda McMahon surprised lawmakers by appearing at a House Democrats’ press conference to discuss the future of the Department of Education—but sidestepped questions on when it might close.
Key Facts:
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon attended a House Democrats’ press event on Wednesday.
- She met with at least 11 Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), about recent layoffs.
- McMahon is tasked with overseeing a Trump administration plan to dismantle the Department of Education.
- Nearly 50% of DOE staff are being laid off under a reduction in force plan announced last month.
- McMahon refused to provide a timeline for the department’s closure, saying only that she would follow statutory guidelines.
The Rest of The Story:
Secretary McMahon made waves Wednesday by joining House Democrats outside the Department of Education building, where she delivered a message of cooperation and local control in education.
While she echoed President Trump’s belief that decisions should be made closer to the classroom, she emphasized her openness to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The backdrop to this show of unity was a round of layoffs that will cut nearly half the Department’s workforce.
McMahon met earlier that day with Rep. Takano and others to hear concerns.
Takano later expressed frustration that McMahon offered no clear timeline for when the department would shut its doors, a central promise of the Trump administration.
According to Takano, McMahon promised to review what the law allows and consult with Congress before moving forward.
Trump’s March 20 executive order begins scaling back the DOE but does not eliminate it.
Full closure would require congressional approval, and key questions—like what happens to the department’s massive student loan portfolio—remain unresolved.
This morning, I hosted a meeting with House Democrats to hear their concerns.
Our collective goal should be to support students, not the broken bureaucracy. https://t.co/JTusKYQqk6
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) April 2, 2025
Commentary:
McMahon’s appearance alongside Democrats was more than a courtesy call—it was a smart political maneuver.
While Democrats tried to pin her down on a shutdown date, McMahon stayed above the fray, signaling openness without committing to anything specific.
That kind of discipline will serve her well in a high-stakes role.
By stepping up to the podium with Democrats, McMahon signaled that she’s ready to work with Congress.
That’s a necessary step.
The president can’t unilaterally eliminate a cabinet-level department.
Congress created the DOE in 1979, and only Congress can shut it down.
Still, that doesn’t mean the administration’s hands are tied.
Trump can gut the agency through executive action, budget cuts, and internal restructuring.
Congress holds the purse strings, but the executive branch runs the department.
Expect McMahon to wield that authority with precision.
She also made clear that funding for key education programs will continue.
That’s an important message for families and local schools.
The real shift will be in control—not cutting support, but decentralizing it.
McMahon, known for her poise and discipline, is walking a political tightrope.
But early signs suggest she’s doing it with grace.
The cordial tone she struck with Democrats may not last, but it sets a baseline for how she’ll manage the politics of a department in transition.
Whatever happens next, McMahon looks prepared.
And that’s exactly what the role demands.
The Bottom Line:
Linda McMahon’s surprise appearance with House Democrats showed she’s serious about collaboration—even as she carries out a controversial plan.
Though she avoided giving a shutdown timeline, she made it clear she will consult Congress and follow the law.
The future of the Department of Education now hinges on legislative action—and how far the executive branch can go without it.
Read Next
– Texas Man Just Paid The Ultimate Price For Threatening ICE Agents
– What’s the Real Story Behind the Report of Elon Musk’s Exit from DOGE?
– NYC Mayor Eric Adams Ditches the Democrat Party