Rep. Suzanne Bonamici wants the United States Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to be impeached.
Bonamici introduced a resolution accusing McMahon of “high crimes and misdemeanors”.
The resolution argues McMahon illegally transferred responsibilities from the Department of Education to other federal agencies without congressional approval:
Elementary and secondary education to Department of Labor
Postsecondary education to Departments of Labor and State
Career and technical education to Department of Labor
Special education to Department of Health and Human Services
Civil rights enforcement to Department of Justice
Indian education to Department of the Interior
The resolution argues that the Department of Education Organization Act requires these offices to remain within the Department of Education unless Congress changes the law.
It also cites McMahon’s public statements about wanting to dismantle the Department as evidence that these transfers were intentional rather than administrative change.
McMahon is also accused of misleding senators during her confirmation hearing by promising that congressionally appropriated education funding would continue to be distributed.
The resolution also states that McMahon weakened the Department of Education so much that it cannot effectively carry out its duties.
The next steps according to American law are:
The House Judiciary Committee would have to consider the resolution.
The full House would have to approve one or more articles of impeachment by a simple majority.
The Senate would then hold a trial.
Removal from office would require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
Linda McMahon was appointed as Secretary of Education by President Donald Trump on November 19, 2024.
