US Education Secretary Challenges NY Native American Mascot Ban

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has taken a firm stance against New York State's ban on Native American mascots in public schools, particularly focusing on Massapequa High School's 'Chiefs' mascot. After a month-long investigation, McMahon's Office for Civil Rights found the state's ban violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, asserting that the policy discriminates against race, color, or national origin. McMahon plans to push New York State to rescind the ban or face legal action from the U.S. Department of Justice, emphasizing support for Massapequa and criticizing the state's approach as erasing Native American history and culture. The controversy has divided communities and drawn national attention, with President Trump publicly supporting Massapequa's right to keep its mascot and Native American representatives highlighting the mascot's harmful impact on Indigenous children. The state mandates compliance with the ban by June 2025, threatening funding cuts and removal of school officials for non-compliance, but several districts continue to legally challenge the regulation. Local officials and community members have welcomed McMahon's involvement, viewing it as a fight for local control and cultural recognition against what they see as overreach by the state education board.