Politics
McMahon Says Education Department Is ‘Unnecessary’
By Jake Beardslee · October 16, 2025
McMahon Questions Need for Federal Education Department
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the ongoing government shutdown has revealed that her agency may no longer be essential, arguing that education across the country continues uninterrupted. In an X post on Wednesday, McMahon wrote that the situation shows "the federal Department of Education is unnecessary, and we should return education to the states." Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Schools Continue Operating Despite Federal Layoffs
“Two weeks in, millions of American students are still going to school, teachers are getting paid, and schools are operating as normal,” McMahon said. Her remarks came days after the Education Department began firing hundreds of employees amid sweeping layoffs across federal agencies. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Critics Warn of Disruptions to Federal Support
Education advocates disputed McMahon’s characterization, warning that the mass firings could jeopardize the distribution of federal funds to schools nationwide. The eliminated positions reportedly included teams responsible for disbursing grants and addressing questions about federal education laws. Pixabay / Pexels