Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at Yale for first university visit in Connecticut
Education Secretary Linda McMahon spoke at Yale University on Thursday night about changes she and the Trump administration would like to see in education across the country.
There was a warm welcome for McMahon on her first university visit in Connecticut since taking the job.
She was invited to speak by the Buckley Institute, a conservative campus group, for a discussion called “The Roadmap for Restoring American Education” that covered topics from federal funding, free speech, to advocating for trade schools and skills for students after high school.
“We need plumbers, electricians, HVAC operators, auto mechanics, all of that,” McMahon said.
She also addressed a Trump administration priority to dismantle the Department of Education and emphasized that the role needed to go back to the states.
“It’s not shutting down education, it’s to shut down the bureaucracy of education,” she said.
McMahon also spoke about being disinvited earlier this year from schools in Fairfield and Thomaston for her “History Rocks” tour, which focused on celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary. There was pressure from teachers and educators concerned about the tour’s ties with Trump-aligned groups like Turning Point USA. McMahon called it a misunderstanding.
“I can’t imagine how this is a partisan activity, but I think it’s parents not understanding what goes into History Rocks,” she said.
Some audience members said they enjoyed hearing from McMahon, who also served a brief stint on the state board of education.
“I think it’s really important that we have diverse opinions, voices on this campus, and I appreciate it,” Sophia Yang, a Yale University MBA grad student, said.
“I just like how she talked about education and how the states really need to take over the money to distribute within the state,” Pat Cardoza of Branford said.
However, not everyone agreed with that. Some audience members even shook their heads when McMahon brought up reducing the federal government’s role in education.
We reached out to the Yale Democrats for comment on McMahon’s appearance and are waiting to hear back.
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