McMahon Dismisses ‘Myth’ That Returning the Education Department to States Would Result in Federal Funding Losses

Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Sunday pushed back on what she called a “misconception” of federal funding losses if her department is wound down at the federal level the way the Trump administration wants.

“I think the misconception is that federal funding will go away if the Department of Education goes back more to the states. Title I funding is appropriated by Congress, that’s going to continue, and that deals with most of the issue that you’re talking about. IDEA [the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act] which is, you know, the funds for our kids with special needs,” McMahon told ’s Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday.”

“Right,” Stirewalt said.

“That’s going to not go away. That’s going to continue flowing. In fact, that should be the least concern of our states. But what’s going to happen is those states that are being innovative and creative are going to continue to be that way,” the Education secretary added.

In July, President Trump said that McMahon would start the process of dismantling the Education Department following a Supreme Court decision letting the administration resume layoffs there.

“The United States Supreme Court has handed a Major Victory to Parents and Students across the Country, by declaring the Trump Administration may proceed on returning the functions of the Department of Education BACK TO THE STATES. Now, with this GREAT Supreme Court Decision, our Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, may begin this very important process,” Trump previously said on Truth Social.

Only Congress has the authority to completely eliminate the Education Department, which has multiple functions that are mandated by law.