McMahon says Trump admin will ‘do everything legally’ in dismantling of Education Department

SUMMARY

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon affirmed President Donald Trump’s commitment to legally dismantling the Department of Education during an appearance on Fox News’s “Special Report” with Bret Baier. “He has instructed me from the beginning to proceed legally,” McMahon stated, emphasizing Trump’s directive to expedite the process. She noted that closing the department swiftly would streamline funding to states, potentially increasing resources by reducing bureaucratic overhead. Trump’s executive order, signed Thursday, aims to dissolve the agency, citing dismal educational outcomes—70% of eighth graders below proficient in reading and 72% in math, per the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. White House officials confirmed Congressional approval is required before full closure, with McMahon expressing confidence in bipartisan support, stating, “Both sides know we are failing our students.”