Outside the Department of Education on Wednesday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon surprised House Democrats by stepping up to their podium and calling for the elimination of the very agency she leads.

The press conference, organized by House Democrats, was intended to air concerns over massive layoffs following President Trump’s recent executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. But McMahon, unbothered by the optics, walked right into the event and addressed the media herself.

One Democrat expressed her concerns that “states will not be able to protect the programs and services” that Washington plans to relinquish. However, McMahon didn’t flinch.

“This is not a partisan issue. This is about the children of America,” McMahon began. She then doubled down on her support for President Trump’s plan to shut down the department entirely — a long-held conservative goal now being put into motion.

“I believe, and I know the President does believe this as well, the best education is that that is closest to the child,” McMahon said, emphasizing local control. “Where teachers and parents, local superintendents, and school boards can develop the curriculum — that’s how real education happens.”

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Her comments followed a March 20 executive order signed by President Trump that kickstarts the dismantling process of the Department of Education. “Today we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making,” Trump said at the signing. “We’re going to eliminate the Federal Department of Education once and for all.”

The move aims to return control of education to states and local communities — and is already drawing sharp lines between the left and right.

Despite the tension, some Democrats tried to strike a diplomatic tone. One representative described the mood in the room as “collegial,” saying, “We are extraordinarily grateful to the secretary that she joined us.”

The White House has defended the move, citing dismal results from the department despite massive federal investment. According to administration figures, the Department of Education has spent over $3 trillion since its creation, while student achievement has largely stagnated. Fourth and eighth-grade test scores in math and reading have failed to reach proficiency, and U.S. students continue to underperform compared to international peers.

“Everybody knows it’s right,” Trump told reporters. “We have to get our children educated, and what we’ve been doing clearly isn’t working.”

The Department of Education was created under President Jimmy Carter in 1979, following years of federal education expansions during the 20th century. Its existence has been controversial from the start. President Ronald Reagan tried — and failed — to eliminate it in 1981.

Now, over four decades later, President Trump and Secretary McMahon are taking another swing.

A White House fact sheet states the executive order “directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services.”

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