WATCH: Sen. Murphy asks McMahon about DEI in schools | Trump confirmation hearings

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., questioned Linda McMahon on Thursday about defining DEI -- an acronym that stands for diversity, equity and inclusion -- during her confirmation hearing for education secretary.

Murphy asked how a school can determine if it’s “running a DEI program,” and would therefore be in violation of President Donald Trump’s executive order withholding Education Department grants to organizations that support DEI programs.

DEI programs were “put in place ostensibly for more diversity for equity and inclusion, and I think what we’re seeing is that it’s having an opposite effect," McMahon said. “We are getting back to more segregating of our schools instead of having more inclusion in our schools.”

McMahon appeared before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

She is a former pro-wrestling executive who led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. She has little background in education policy, serving about a year on the Connecticut State Board of Education.

The Trump administration, along with efficiency czar Elon Musk, is already moving forward with plans to dismantle the Department of Education, which McMahon would lead if confirmed.

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