(NewsNation) — Newly confirmed Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon believes student loans, Pell Grants and other federal aid “might best be served in another department,” though it’s unclear which that would be.
“We’re looking at them all across the board, and how can they be best handled if the Department of Education, you know, does not exist,” McMahon told “NewsNation Live” on Friday.
McMahon reiterated that her “mission” of dissolving the department she’s tasked with leading has not changed — but even if the department shutters, she said federal funding isn’t expected to end.
“This is not a turn off the lights and walk out of the department,” McMahon said. “It’s with close consultation with Congress and looking how the needs of students can best be serviced.”
Linda McMahon: Executive order doesn’t change Education Department ‘mission’
Trump on Thursday was expected to sign an executive order asking McMahon to dissolve the agency she’s tasked with leading, though the White House later reversed course. An official told NewsNation the administration will continue to review the department in the meantime.
“The President campaigned on this. He’s been crystal clear that he wants to see the Department of Education closed, and he’d like to see it done sooner rather than later,” McMahon said. “But he understands that we need to work with Congress. There are certain things that are in statute.”
McMahon said she feels her job is to secure the administration the 60 necessary Senate votes — and Congressional approval — to dissolve the department.
“I think my job is to convince Congress that the steps that we are taking are in the best interest of the kids,” McMahon said.
The department has been on the chopping block since Trump’s presidential campaign, when he advocated for giving education power to the states.
300+ workers took Education Department buyout: Linda McMahon
The Education Department sent an email to employees Feb. 28 offering a $25,000 cash payout if they resign by Monday, March 3, at midnight.
McMahon told NewsNation on Friday that “over 300 people” accepted the payout during the four-day window.
The buyouts are part of what McMahon called an “audit” from the Department of Government Efficiency. The Elon Musk-led task force has been examining federal agencies for waste and enacting sweeping layoffs.
“They’ve they’ve certainly shown us that some of the programs that we were looking at could, we could do without and save money,” McMahon said.
She also confirmed that the agency leads hold the ultimate power to determine whether to move forward on DOGE’s recommendations, not Musk.
NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.
