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The incoming Trump Administration and the 119th Congress are beginning to take shape. President-elect Trump has nominated Linda McMahon to serve as the education secretary. McMahon is best known for being the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment or WWE. Though she once (falsely) claimed to have a degree in education, McMahon’s background is actually quite limited: she served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year and had a stint on a university’s board of trustees. The education community have voiced concern that McMahon does not bring an adequate understanding of the range and scope of issues that U.S. students will face over the next four years. McMahon currently serves as Board Chair of the America First Policy Institute, a group that has expressed high levels of enthusiasm for school voucher programs.
Alarmingly, McMahon was sued for allegedly enabling sexual abuse of children. The lawsuit was brought on by five John Does that were aged 13-15 when they that claim abuse took place. They allege that as head of WWE, McMahon knowingly allowed a staff member to recruit children as “ring boys,” which was a guise to sexually exploit them.
Meanwhile, in the 119th Congress, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) will chair the HELP committee. Sen. Cassidy, who is well-known as an advocate of school vouchers and an opponent of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, has indicated that he will prioritize education policy. The senator has previously introduced bills aimed at increasing college transparency surrounding outcomes like graduate earnings and limiting student loan availability and forgiveness initiatives. He also sponsored the “Educational Choice for Children Act,” a piece of legislation that could indicate his focus as HELP committee chair in the 119th Congress.
In the House, Reps. Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Tim Walberg (R-MI) are duking it out to lead the Education and the Workforce Committee. Rep. Owens, who is an advocate for school choice, a critic of COVID-19 school closures, and in favor of eliminating the Department of Education, reportedly is favored to win. He is also a cosponsor of the “Educational Choice for Children Act” voucher legislation.
Equity Advocates Fight Back (and win!)
Michigan: Despite criticism from figures including Sen. Cassidy, who called for an investigation into university DEI spending and cited the University of Michigan’s $30 million annual DEI spending, Michigan has doubled down on its commitment to diversity. The university recently launched DEI 2.0, focusing on equity and inclusion through programs like the GoBlue Guarantee, which offers free tuition for qualifying low-income students. These efforts have increased enrollment of underrepresented groups and reinforced Michigan’s stance on creating an inclusive campus environment, even amid national scrutiny.
Virginia: Opponents have also taken aim at the University of Virginia’s DEI framework. The attacks have fueled ongoing discussion and advocacy by student leaders, who pushed back against political interference in higher education. Ten student body presidents from Virginia public universities jointly wrote to the state’s Governor Glenn Younkin, outlining their concerns about changes to DEI programming and urging a dialogue. Despite criticism, students and universities in Virginia remain vocal in defending the role of initiatives that foster equity and inclusion on campuses.
Events & Resources for Action
The National Education Association (NEA) has launched a pledge to oppose President Trump’s Project 2025, arguing that its proposed reforms would undermine the public education system. This opposition is closely linked to concerns about DEI programs, as Project 2025 seeks to limit federal protections for marginalized groups in education. By challenging these reforms, the NEA aims to protect inclusive practices.