WWE’s Linda McMahon on Thursday stepped into the ring during her confirmation hearing to be secretary of the Department of Education — an agency President Donald Trump has vowed to shutter.
Here are some of the highlights from McMahon’s confirmation hearing:
“If there is a movement to abolish the Department of Education, it has to go through the United States Congress,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said to the education secretary-designate, referencing President Trump’s promise to dismantle the Department of Education.
“It is set up by the United States Congress, and we work with Congress,” McMahon responded. “It clearly cannot be shut down without it.”
“The president is also planning to eliminate the Department of Education,” New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) told McMahon. “The department that you’re interviewing today to lead — it’s almost like we’re being subjected to a very elegant gaslighting here.”
“Is it harder to sit composed and calm and focused among a bunch of WWE wrestlers, or is it harder to sit in this hearing with people popping up and yelling at you all day?” Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) asked, referencing protestors during the hearing.
“I can stay pretty composed and focused in either environment,” McMahon said.
McMahon also failed to answer which parts of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) she would implement.
“I want to study it further and get back to you with that, and I’ll be happy to do that,” McMahon said when questioned.
The WWE co-founder brought former WWE wrestler Triple H to the hearing, who sat right behind her in the gallery.
