Trump makes former wrestling boss the new Minister of Education

Former wrestling boss Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Minister of Education for the US government under Donald Trump. A majority of 51 senators confirmed McMahon’s nomination on Monday, all 45 democratic members of the Congress Chamber voted against them. In her hearings in front of the Senate, the former boss of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) organization (WWE) announced that the political power of the US federal government in the field of education.

When McMahon’s nomination announced, Trump had declared that the 76-year-old would “lead to efforts” in office to return the states more power in educational policy. In the election campaign, Trump announced that he would abolish the Ministry of Education in the event of an election victory – and then called McMahon “to make himself unemployed”.

The now confirmed minister was an important donor and supporter of Trump in the election campaign. In addition, she was the co-chair of the transition team used by Trump before taking office, which was to prepare the government takeover and coordinate the occupation of around 4,000 posts.

The federal government plays a rather subordinate role in financing the educational system in the United States. According to the NEA teacher union, around 13 percent of the funds for primary and secondary schools come from federal funds, the remaining funds are borne by the states and municipalities.

However, state grants from Washington are particularly important for those schools who are aimed at families with low income and to students with learning difficulties.

The possible abolition of the Ministry of Education is met with severe criticism from democratic congress members, teacher associations and many parents, since they see an unprecedented attack on public education.