Education Secretary Linda McMahon Visits Chicago Private School

McMahon's controversial national civics tour sparks debate over partisan politics in schools.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Education Secretary Linda McMahon addressed students at a private Christian high school on Chicago's Near West Side as part of her nationwide 'History Rocks!' tour commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The visit was met with mixed reactions, as half the student body opted out and some parents expressed concerns, while the school's principal said it was valuable for students to engage with differing perspectives.

Why it matters

McMahon's tour has drawn criticism for involving conservative organizations and promoting a particular view of American history and national identity. The debate over civics education has become increasingly partisan, with concerns that it is being used to advance political agendas in schools.

The details

About 150 students at Chicago Hope Academy joined McMahon for the assembly, which was closed to the media. Half of the student body decided not to attend the optional event. The visit was part of the U.S. Department of Education's 'History Rocks!' tour, which has the backing of more than 40 conservative organizations. The aim is to 'promote a shared understanding of the principles that shaped the founding and history of our nation.' However, a promotional video for the tour has been criticized for portraying the education system as having 'crumbled from within' and featuring images like an American flag in flames and a drag queen.

  • On Thursday, February 5, 2026, McMahon addressed students at Chicago Hope Academy.
  • Last week, an elementary school in Fairfield, Connecticut, called off McMahon's visit amid intense backlash from parents.
  • McMahon planned to visit Genoa-Kingston High School in DeKalb County later on Thursday, where dozens of protesters gathered outside the school.

The players

Linda McMahon

The U.S. Secretary of Education, who has been leading a controversial national civics tour that has drawn criticism for involving conservative organizations and promoting a particular view of American history and national identity.

Ike Muzikowski

The principal of Chicago Hope Academy, who said the school decided to move forward with McMahon's visit to allow students to engage with differing perspectives, despite some parent concerns.

Chicago Hope Academy

A private Christian high school on Chicago's Near West Side where McMahon addressed students as part of her 'History Rocks!' tour.

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What they’re saying

“Not every student felt like this was the best program to participate in, or didn't feel as comfortable being part of it, and that's OK. We will continue to have conversations and figure out how we can learn from people who think differently than us.”

— Ike Muzikowski, Principal, Chicago Hope Academy (Chicago Tribune)

“(The tour) is totally nonpartisan. It is really making history fun. … It is bringing civics and history to life, it is not teaching curriculum.”

— Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

Dozens of protesters gathered outside Genoa-Kingston High School in DeKalb County, where McMahon was scheduled to visit later on Thursday for an event hosted by the school's Turning Point USA chapter.

The takeaway

The debate over McMahon's 'History Rocks!' tour highlights the increasingly partisan nature of civics education, with concerns that it is being used to advance particular political agendas in schools. The visit to Chicago Hope Academy sparked mixed reactions, underscoring the need for schools to navigate these complex issues while providing students with opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives.