Photo: Reuters File
US President-elect Donald Trump has selected Linda McMahon as the education secretary, placing the former professional wrestling executive at the forefront of a department Trump has suggested eliminating.
"For the past four years, as Chair of the Board at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Linda has been a staunch supporter of Parents’ Rights, diligently working at both AFPI and America First Works (AFW) to implement Universal School Choice in 12 States, providing children with the chance to receive a superior education, irrespective of their zip code or income," Trump stated in a release.
Trump noted that she will strive "relentlessly" to extend universal school choice throughout the United States.
McMahon, who was previously considered for the commerce secretary role, led the Small Business Administration during Trump's initial administration and was a significant donor and early backer of the Republican president-elect when he first campaigned for the White House nearly a decade ago.
As the co-founder and former CEO of the WWE professional wrestling organization, she stepped down from the SBA in 2019 to oversee the pro-Trump expenditure group America First Action. She also chairs the America First Policy Institute, a think tank aligned with Trump.
Trump appointed her to co-lead a transition team established to assist in vetting personnel and drafting policy in advance of the November 5 election.
McMahon was in the running to head the Commerce Department, but Trump on Tuesday opted for her transition team co-leader – Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick – for that position. Now, she will lead an agency Trump mentioned on the campaign trail that he would abolish, although he likely requires congressional approval to do so.
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