America First Nomination: Linda McMahon

Linda McMahon, a North Carolina native and Chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), brings a proven record of effective leadership to her nomination as Secretary of Education. As Administrator of the Small Business Administration under the first term of President Donald J. Trump from 2017 until 2019, she prioritized opportunities for underserved communities, streamlined resources to maximize efficiency, and empowered small businesses to succeed. McMahon is a longtime private university trustee, former Connecticut State Board of Education member, and former CEO of a multi-national corporation. She will bring tremendous executive leadership experience to the United States Department of Education. More significantly, McMahon is a mother and grandmother who raised children who attended public and private schools throughout their lifetime. She understands that each child has unique needs and abilities. She looks forward to tirelessly advocating for every American student while prioritizing the voices of parents who know their children best. From the fight for educational choice, protecting special needs students, and partnering with parents and teachers, she believes the best days for the American education system are still ahead.

America First Credentials

Supports

Parental Rights in Education

Prioritizing parental involvement is the cornerstone of student success and achievement. Active participation in that process should be encouraged, not excluded.

School Choice Expansion

Ensuring parents are empowered to choose the schooling option that best fits their child’s unique needs, regardless of zip code or income level.

Career and Technical Education Expansion

Promoting workforce development programs that equip students with real-world skills for high-paying jobs in trades and industries and investing in apprenticeship programs with measurable results.

Academic Excellence in Core Subjects

Prioritizing evidence-based learning and improving student outcomes in core subjects such as reading, writing, math, science, and civic education.

State and District Control of Education

Empowering states to enact policies that meet the needs of their students and families.

Reducing the Federal Education Bureaucracy

Reducing administrative costs for education, perpetuated by unelected bureaucrats under little scrutiny or accountability, while empowering states, local governments, and families to create systems that achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone.

Opposes

Political Indoctrination in Classrooms

Rejecting non-evidence-based teaching such as Critical Race Theory and radical gender ideology. Ultimately, these take the focus away from core subjects and lower student outcomes.

Government Overreach

Rejecting policies that put the government before students and parents. No policy should hinder accountability or transparency at any level of education, from the Secretary’s office to the school board to the local classroom.

Failing One-Size-Fits-All Education Models

Challenging outdated systems that fail to meet the unique needs of students limits innovation and choice in education.

America First Achievements

While leading AFPI, Linda McMahon oversaw significant America First accomplishments in education, including:

Empowering Parents

Launched America First Parents, a free tool providing access to school board data, polling, news, and incident reporting.

Advancing School Choice

Achieved universal school choice in 12 states, and 22 other states have passed school choice expansion bills.

Promoting Early Literacy

Supported early literacy efforts in states, leading to 40 states and the District of Columbia passing laws and policies regarding evidence-based reading practices in schools.

Challenging Radical Agendas

Defeated efforts to make taxpayers pay for others’ student debt, change Title IX rules that protect women and girls, and advance racist DEI policies.

Driving Education/Workforce Reform

Supported reforms to Pell Grants and federal workforce programs to align our education systems with workforce needs and prepare students for careers.