GLSEN's Response to Linda McMahon's Cabinet Nomination

GLSEN Statement on the Nomination of Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education

GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers issued the following statement in response to the nomination of Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education by Donald Trump:

“Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Linda McMahon, a political ally with no substantial background in education, is yet another deeply concerning move in his ongoing effort to undermine public education. McMahon’s lack of expertise in education, paired with Trump’s focus on so-called ‘parents’ rights’ and ‘school choice,’ signals a continued push to strip critical protections for LGBTQ+ students and historically marginalized communities.

While McMahon has built her career in the entertainment industry with WWE, where spectacle often overshadowed substance, the Department of Education demands leadership grounded in expertise, experience, and a deep understanding of what students need to succeed. Public education is not a performance—it is the foundation of our democracy and our nation’s future.

The Department of Education should be led by someone who is committed to ensuring that every student can learn in a safe, inclusive environment free from discrimination and harm. McMahon’s nomination instead prioritizes loyalty to Trump’s agenda over the well-being and futures of millions of students.

GLSEN will not stand idly by while federal protections, including Title IX, are attacked or eroded. Title IX exists to protect students from discrimination in schools, and we will continue fighting to ensure that these protections remain strong, enforced, and expansive, despite attempts to dismantle them under the guise of parental control or school privatization.

At a time when public education faces unprecedented challenges, we need leadership that understands the needs of our students, educators, and schools. GLSEN remains committed to holding this administration accountable and standing with students, educators, advocates, and allies across the country to protect the rights of every student to learn in an environment that values and respects them.

We call on the Senate to reject this nomination and demand a leader who will center equity, inclusion, and the needs of all students in their vision for education. The stakes are far too high to allow politics to endanger our youth. GLSEN will continue organizing, advocating, and working alongside our partners to safeguard the future of education for everyone.”

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers
Executive Director, GLSEN