Senate confirms Linda McMahon as Education Secretary as Trump moves to cut department

President Trump announced he will suspend new tariffs on most imports from Mexico and Canada until April 2, according to recent reporting from The New York Times that provides updates on the administration's trade policies. The exemptions will cover goods traded under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which Trump signed during his first term.

This reversal comes just two days after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on these close economic partners. The New York Times reports that stock markets still fell about 2 percent despite this delay, as investors remain concerned about mixed messages on trade policy. Additionally, the administration is planning discussions in Saudi Arabia next week about ending the war in Ukraine, with Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, stating they aim to secure a framework for peace. As further noted by The New York Times, the administration has also directed cabinet secretaries to work with Elon Musk on the next round of government job cuts, moving from what Trump described as using a "hatchet" to using a "scalpel."

The Senate has voted 51-45 to confirm Linda McMahon as Education Secretary, based onAP News reporting that details her confirmation amid Trump's pledge to dismantle the department she now leads. McMahon, a 76-year-old billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, faces the challenging task of implementing Trump's education agenda while also working toward eliminating her own department.

Despite having limited experience in education leadership beyond a year on Connecticut's state board of education, McMahon's supporters believe her executive skills will help reform what they see as a failing department, according to AP News analysis of her confirmation. During her confirmation hearing, McMahon attempted to distance herself from Trump's harsh rhetoric, stating she aims to make the department "operate more efficiently" rather than defund programs.

AP News further explains that McMahon has pledged to preserve Title I money for low-income schools, Pell grants for college students, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, even as the Trump administration has already begun significant restructuring of the department, cutting numerous contracts deemed "wasteful" and suspending scores of employees.