President Donald Trump shows helipad construction on the South Lawn of the White House after an event in the Rose Garden on Aug. 24, 2026. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, left, and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon are on either side of Trump. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday touted a national private school voucher program set to launch in early 2027.
During a White House Rose Garden event celebrating the back-to-school season, Trump and McMahon lauded the incoming federal school choice effort along with many of the education policies the administration has pursued, including ongoing efforts to dismantle the 46-year old Education Department.
At least 30 states have already opted in to the school voucher program, which allocates up to $1,700 in federal tax credits for people donating to organizations that provide private and religious school scholarships.
The program, known as the Education Freedom Tax Credit, was created in the GOP’s mega tax and spending cut bill Trump signed into law in July 2025.
“One year ago, as part of the great, big, beautiful bill, we passed the Education Freedom Tax Credit — the largest ever expansion of school choice — and we want every parent to have the power to send their child to a high-quality school that shares their values,” Trump told the crowd of educators, parents and students.
Monday’s event highlighted Trump and congressional Republicans’ continued focus on school choice as a central point of their education agenda, with the upcoming voucher program marking a pillar of that effort.
The umbrella term “school choice” centers on alternative programs to a student’s assigned public school. While opponents argue these efforts drain critical funds and resources from school districts, advocates say the initiatives are necessary for parents dissatisfied with their local public schools.
Attendees at the Rose Garden also included Republican Govs. Jim Pillen of Nebraska and Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, as well as GOP Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan, who chairs the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
McMahon echoed the president, saying the federal program gives parents “unprecedented freedom to choose the path that is best for their child.”
She added that “it’s no surprise that over half of our nation’s states — both red and blue — have raced to this historic choice option, benefiting families whether their child attends public or private school.”
Dems working to reverse program
Meanwhile, congressional Democrats are already attempting to axe the program.
Sens. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii in April introduced a bill in the Senate, alongside nearly 30 of their colleagues, that would repeal the program.
Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin introduced a companion bill in the House in June with Reps. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Maxwell Frost of Florida, Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and dozens more original co-sponsors.
The legislation faces a dismal fate in the GOP-controlled House and Senate.