US President Donald Trump's Education Secretary, Linda McMahon , has declared support for Long Island's Massapequa High School in its ongoing legal battle to retain its Native American mascot, calling the matter a "top priority" for her department.
The school, which uses the "Chiefs" mascot, is among several New York districts facing action under a statewide ban on indigenous-themed names and imagery in public schools. The ban was enacted by the New York State Board of Regents in 2023, with threats to withdraw state funding from non-compliant districts.
Four Long Island districts challenge state ruling
The Massapequa School District is one of four districts on Long Island that have challenged the state's ruling. The ban also affects the Connetquot School District, which uses the "Thunderbirds" mascot. According to The Independent, a federal judge sided with the State of New York earlier this year, ruling against the school districts.
Despite the decision, the Trump administration has stepped into the dispute. In May, Linda McMahon visited Massapequa High School and posed with a Chiefs shirt. She also warned of a possible lawsuit, stating that the Board of Regents' decision may be in violation of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act. She further warned that New York's Department of Education could face a loss of federal funding or an investigation by the US Department of Justice.
In her latest statement, as reported by The Independent, McMahon said, "It is a top priority of this administration to protect Massapequa, Connetquot, and all Native American groups' right to celebrate and preserve their cultural heritage."
Trump and McMahon publicly support the mascot
President Trump has also expressed support for the Massapequa Chiefs mascot. In April, he posted a photo on Instagram posing with a Chiefs jersey in the Oval Office. As reported by The Independent, he later told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, "I love Massapequa. I've heard that name for years. I have a lot of friends in Massapequa… We've got to get the name back to the Chiefs."
Trump further stated that removing such mascots was "demeaning" to Native Americans rather than disrespectful, according to The Independent.
Local officials welcome administration's involvement
Kerry Wachter, president of the Massapequa school board, told The Independent after McMahon's visit that she was "shocked" by the federal involvement but welcomed it. "We asked for President Trump to please get involved. And to our surprise, he actually did," she said.
Wachter also raised concerns over the financial impact of rebranding. "It's in our fields. It's in the floors. It's on the walls. It's everywhere," she said, estimating the cost at $1 million. "And we're named Massapequa for the Massapequa Indians who were here before us."
According to The Independent, Wachter has since called on President Trump to issue an executive order protecting the mascot. The school has also retained legal counsel Oliver Roberts to continue its legal challenge against the state.
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The school, which uses the "Chiefs" mascot, is among several New York districts facing action under a statewide ban on indigenous-themed names and imagery in public schools. The ban was enacted by the New York State Board of Regents in 2023, with threats to withdraw state funding from non-compliant districts.
Four Long Island districts challenge state ruling
The Massapequa School District is one of four districts on Long Island that have challenged the state's ruling. The ban also affects the Connetquot School District, which uses the "Thunderbirds" mascot. According to The Independent, a federal judge sided with the State of New York earlier this year, ruling against the school districts.
Despite the decision, the Trump administration has stepped into the dispute. In May, Linda McMahon visited Massapequa High School and posed with a Chiefs shirt. She also warned of a possible lawsuit, stating that the Board of Regents' decision may be in violation of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act. She further warned that New York's Department of Education could face a loss of federal funding or an investigation by the US Department of Justice.
In her latest statement, as reported by The Independent, McMahon said, "It is a top priority of this administration to protect Massapequa, Connetquot, and all Native American groups' right to celebrate and preserve their cultural heritage."
Trump and McMahon publicly support the mascot
President Trump has also expressed support for the Massapequa Chiefs mascot. In April, he posted a photo on Instagram posing with a Chiefs jersey in the Oval Office. As reported by The Independent, he later told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, "I love Massapequa. I've heard that name for years. I have a lot of friends in Massapequa… We've got to get the name back to the Chiefs."
Trump further stated that removing such mascots was "demeaning" to Native Americans rather than disrespectful, according to The Independent.
Local officials welcome administration's involvement
Kerry Wachter, president of the Massapequa school board, told The Independent after McMahon's visit that she was "shocked" by the federal involvement but welcomed it. "We asked for President Trump to please get involved. And to our surprise, he actually did," she said.
Wachter also raised concerns over the financial impact of rebranding. "It's in our fields. It's in the floors. It's on the walls. It's everywhere," she said, estimating the cost at $1 million. "And we're named Massapequa for the Massapequa Indians who were here before us."
According to The Independent, Wachter has since called on President Trump to issue an executive order protecting the mascot. The school has also retained legal counsel Oliver Roberts to continue its legal challenge against the state.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
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