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President Trump’s Department of Education (DOE) has achieved significant early successes following his inauguration, setting the stage for Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing on Thursday.

While Trump’s ultimate vision involves dismantling the DOE and returning authority to state and local levels – even remarking that he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job” – the department has been actively addressing various initiatives. Their focus has centered on tackling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, gender-related policies, antisemitism concerns, and excessive spending within America’s educational framework.

These transformative changes stem from Trump’s comprehensive executive orders, which have initiated departmental reforms aimed at removing what he considers problematic left-wing ideologies.

The department’s achievements include substantial financial reforms, having terminated nearly $1 billion in contracts, including $101 million in DEI training grants. The Department of Government Efficiency has identified and eliminated $15 million in DEI grants previously established under Biden’s administration at various universities.

In addressing ideological concerns, the department has dissolved its Diversity & Inclusion Council and removed its Equity Action Plan. Over 200 DEI-related web pages are marked for removal, and the department has concluded what they termed “Biden’s Book Ban Hoax.”

The administration has taken decisive action regarding gender policies in educational institutions. Following Trump’s executive orders on protecting women’s sports and affirming biological reality, the department has initiated multiple Title IX investigations into universities allegedly permitting males to compete in female sports. They’re also examining a Colorado school district’s decision to convert a girls’ restroom into an all-gender facility.

The department has launched investigations into five major universities over allegations of antisemitic harassment, with the Office of Civil Rights prioritizing previously backlogged cases from the Biden era.

Supporting educational choice, Trump signed an order directing the department to emphasize school choice programs through grants. This resulted in the release of $33 million in previously delayed funding for Charter Management Organizations.

McMahon, previously serving as Small Business Administration Administrator and WWE co-founder, has been praised by Trump as a “fierce advocate for Parents’ Rights.” Her experience includes serving on Connecticut’s Board of Education and as a trustee at Sacred Heart University.

The department has outlined its future priorities under McMahon’s potential leadership, focusing on empowering states and parents, expanding school choice, emphasizing core skills over ideological teachings, and ensuring accountability in higher education.

Looking ahead, the department aims to shift its focus toward meaningful education while moving away from what it considers divisive ideological approaches in schools. This aligns with Trump’s vision of returning educational control to state and local authorities.