BREAKING News: Trump’s education secretary threatens to pull funding from New York over its Native American mascot ban…
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has threatened to withdraw federal funding from New York State unless it rescinds a ban on Native American-themed school mascots, such as the “Chiefs” at Massapequa High School. During a visit to the school on May 30, 2025, McMahon stated that the ban violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by discriminating against Native American representations while permitting other ethnic-themed mascots like “Dutchmen” and “Huguenots” .
The controversy began in 2023 when the New York State Board of Regents mandated that public schools eliminate Native American mascots by June 2025, citing research on the negative impact of such imagery on students. Massapequa High School and three other districts filed lawsuits challenging the ban, but a federal judge dismissed the cases in March 2025 .
McMahon’s intervention has intensified the debate. Supporters of the mascot, including local officials and the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), argue that it honors Native American heritage. However, Indigenous leaders from Long Island, such as Chief Harry Wallace of the Unkechaug Nation, contend that the mascot misrepresents Native culture and history .
McMahon has given the state ten days to agree to a resolution rescinding the ban and issuing an apology to Native Americans. Failure to comply could result in a Justice Department investigation or loss of federal education funding .
