Donald Trump’s picked the dream team to assemble his Cabinet. They’re proving it every chance they get.
And Democrats are rattled after Trump’s Education Secretary committed this one bold move against them.
In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday morning, April 2, President Donald Trump’s Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, made an unexpected entrance at a press conference held by Democratic lawmakers. The surprise appearance came hot on the heels of a meeting where Democrats voiced their apprehensions about the administration’s bold move to dismantle the Department of Education.
The meeting, attended by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and at least ten other Democrats, followed a significant shakeup at the Education Department. The agency recently slashed its workforce by nearly half, dropping from 4,000 employees to just over 2,000. Officials had previously clarified that these cuts primarily targeted internal roles, sparing staff tied to public-facing initiatives.
At the press conference, Democrats walked a tightrope—criticizing McMahon’s efforts to shrink the department while simultaneously praising her openness to dialogue. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) captured this duality, saying, “I will say, it was really refreshing to be able to sit in a room and ask our questions. We are all very grateful that she took the time to respond to our letter and she allowed more questions than what we had planned for, which is a great sign, and we hope to continue the open lines of communication with her and we’re grateful for that.”
McMahon then crashed the event as Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) fielded reporters’ questions. Stansbury didn’t hold back, asserting that it is “very apparent that the Secretary is treating this as a corporate restructuring, and we want to be clear that the education of our children is not a corporate enterprise.” She accused McMahon of moving forward “without a plan,” though she softened her critique by noting the “very collegial” atmosphere of their earlier discussion and thanking the Secretary for her time.
Spotting McMahon in the crowd, Stansbury graciously offered her the podium, adding, “We’re extraordinarily grateful that the Secretary gave us the space to have these conversations, but with all due respect, madam, I think my biggest concern is that the states will not be able to protect the programs and services that you would like to devolve with them.”
Taking the stage, McMahon expressed appreciation for the lawmakers’ willingness to engage. “I just wanted to express my gratitude to the lawmakers who met with me to have an open discussion about what I believe is one of the most important things that we can have a discussion on or action in our country, and that is the education of our young people,” she said.
She echoed a sentiment from Rep. Takano, emphasizing unity over division. “As Rep. Takano said as we were ending the meeting, which I thought was incredibly appropriate, and that is that this is not a partisan issue. This is about the children of America, and it’s the next generation, the generation after that, and if we want to have our leaders, if we want to have that next group of engineers and doctors and lawyers and plumbers and electricians and HVAC operators, then we need to focus on how they can best have their education.”
McMahon doubled down on her vision, aligned with President Trump’s, stating, “I believe, and I know the president does believe this as well — the best education is that that is closest to the child, where teachers and parents, local superintendents working together, and local school boards, to develop the curriculum for those students is the best way that it can happen.”
She reassured the crowd that federal funding for existing programs would persist and welcomed ongoing collaboration with Congress. “That’s the way it ought to operate, and I’m very happy to have had them here,” she concluded.
WATCH:
Democrats had a press conference outside the Department of Education — so @EDSecMcMahon came out to join them:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 2, 2025
"I believe — and I know @POTUS does believe this, as well — the best education is that that is closest to the child." pic.twitter.com/AdSrMtf1ph
The mood shifted when Rep. Takano pressed McMahon on plans to shutter the Education Department’s D.C. headquarters. While no official closure has been announced, the department has floated reducing its footprint by cutting leases in cities like San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Cleveland. McMahon deflected, saying, “Well, we’ve had our discussions already,” before thanking the attendees and retreating inside.
Confirmed in early March, McMahon faces the monumental task of winding down the Department of Education—a key Trump priority. The president, now in his second term, signed an executive order on March 20 to dissolve the agency, though Congress must ultimately act to abolish it, given its creation 45 years ago under President Jimmy Carter.
For now, McMahon is trimming staff and exploring how to transfer responsibilities to other agencies, with help from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in curbing costs.
Democrats acknowledged McMahon’s commitment to work within legal bounds. “We certainly hope that she sticks to what she said to us today, that she is looking to what the statute allows her to do,” Takano stated, calling it “refreshing information.”
He added that Wednesday’s meeting was just the beginning, with McMahon set to meet more Democrats—75 House members have already requested talks, according to The Hill.
As Trump pushes to return education authority to states and communities, saying that he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job,” the Secretary’s balancing act between cooperation and transformation promises more fireworks ahead.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
