Linda McMahon

Secretary of Education

Department of Education

Who Does This Official Serve?

Industry Insider

Prior Industry: WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) / SBA

Former CEO of WWE. No background in education policy, pedagogy, or public schools. Now heads the Department of Education, overseeing $70B budget and federal student aid.

Appointed

January 20, 2025

1 year, 6 months in office

Confirmation Vote

50-49

Conflict Risk

High

(21 pts)

3 conflicts identified

🔄Revolving Door Analysis

Industry Insider

Prior Industry: WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) / SBA

Former CEO of WWE. No background in education policy, pedagogy, or public schools. Now heads the Department of Education, overseeing $70B budget and federal student aid.

⚠️ Conflicts of Interest (3)

📋 Qualifications(1)

High

No education policy or teaching experience

👷 Labor(1)

High

WWE worker safety record, wrestlers died young

💭 Ideology(1)

High

Major Trump donor seeking to dismantle department

Career Path

🔄 Revolving Door

Direct revolving doorLobbying / Media backgroundCareer public servant

Administrator

Small Business Administration

2017-2019

Former CEO of WWE. No background in education policy, pedagogy, or public schools. Now heads the Department of Education, overseeing $70B budget and federal student aid.

CEO

WWE

1980-2009

Chair

America First Action Super PAC

2019-2025

Now Serving As

Secretary of Education

Department of Education

2025–Present

Policy Positions

Department Abolition

Supports abolishing Education Department

School Choice

Strong advocate for vouchers

Federal Role

Minimize federal involvement

Student Loans

Reduce federal loan programs

💰 Agency Budget — FY2026

Source: USASpending.gov

$99.6B

Budget Authority

$46.9B

Obligated

0.7%

of Federal Budget

Department of Education0.75% of total

Top Contract Awards (FY2023–2026)

ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC

IGF::CL::IGF - TIVOD SUPPORTS THE ORIGINATION, DISBURSEMENT, AND REPORTING OF TITLE IV FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAMS, INCLUDING - BUT NOT LIMITED TO - DIRECT LOANS, PELL GRANTS, AND THE TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS. THE TITLE IV SOLUTION SHALL ALSO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE DISCONTINUED TITLE IV FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAMS, INCLUDING - BUT NOT LIMITED TO - ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANTS AND NATIONAL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS ACCESS TO RETAIN TALENT GRANTS.

$1.5B

NELNET SERVICING LLC

PROVIDE DIRECT LOAN SERVICES SUCH AS CALL CENTER AND FINANCIAL REPORTING - NELNET FROM 12/15/2019 THROUGH 12/14/2020

$984M

MAXIMUS FEDERAL SERVICES, INC.

DEBT MANAGEMENT AND COLLECTIONS SYSTEM (DMCS) IGF::CT::IGF

$907M

About Department of Education

The Department of Education promotes educational excellence, ensures equal access to education, and administers federal student aid.

Federal Budget & Awards

FY 2023-2025 • Source: USASpending.gov

Last updated 7/27/2026

Latest FY Obligations

$54.0B

Contracts (Top Awards)

$1.5B

Grants (Top Awards)

$45.7B

Largest Program Funding Changes

Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Education

-$2,168,649,965

Federal Direct Student Loan Program, Education

+$632.2M

Department of Education Nonrecurring Expenses Fund

+$442.3M

Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education

-$403,838,061

Impact Aid, Department of Education

-$303,161,603