Education Secretary Ridiculed After Failing to Explain Trump Admin's Criteria for Foreign Students: 'The I Don't Know Administration'

While discussing the White House crackdown on student visas, a muddled response from Education Secretary Linda McMahon inspired ridicule online as critics dubbed President Donald Trump's cabinet "The I Don't Know Administration."

Appearing on CNBC, McMahon was asked if the US government should really be scouring social media to determine the eligibility of foreign students applying to American universities.

"I don't know what the criteria are that the State Department or Secretary of Homeland Security are setting up in terms of vetting students," she said.

McMahon went on to say she thinks some foreign students "help create this unrest," and "I think there are professors...teaching ideology more than the subject matter..."

"You start taking a hard look across a broad area and then you can start to see where it is you really do need to focus," she stated vaguely. "So I don't know what the criteria is that the State Department is looking at. I'll leave that up to them."

Her lack of clarity set off a wave of criticism across social media, where users mocked the repeated use of the phrase "I don't know" by administration officials.

"'I don't know' is just another form of pleading the fifth with these people," one user wrote. Another added, "This is the I Don't Know administration," a sentiment echoed in dozens of comments accusing the Trump administration of lacking transparency and internal coordination.

Some critics focused on McMahon's background, noting her transition from WWE executive to cabinet member. "That's shocking that the fake wrestling CEO's wife doesn't know anything about anything," one user commented sarcastically.

Others questioned whether key officials were shirking their responsibilities. "Isn't that part of her job?" one post asked. Another said bluntly, "Well...you SHOULD know."

The firestorm underscores growing frustration with vague or evasive communication from top Trump officials when questioned about contentious policies.