Donald Trump

Betsy DeVos Accused of Hiding Out in Her Mansion Even as She Pushes to Reopen Schools

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is isolating herself within her 22,000-square-foot Michigan estate even as she pushes to reopen schools nationwide amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education pushed back against the reports.

“That’s simply not true,” the spokesperson told Salon via email. “Secretary DeVos has held 9 roundtables, 4 briefings, 30 calls with governors, 62 calls with state superintendents, 28 interviews and 13 conference calls about this pandemic. She provided 7 major flexibilities, took 5 steps to protect students’ rights, and made $30B for schools available in 30 days.”

However, NBC News reported that it could not find records of any public events held by DeVos this year.

DeVos has concurred with President Donald Trump on the matter of reopening schools despite the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. As recently as last month, DeVos found herself at the center of controversy for saying she is “seriously” considering withholding funds from schools that don’t reopen.

Speaking to Fox News personality Tucker Carlson on July 7, Devos said there was “no reason to withhold full-time education,” adding that withholding funds from schools that don’t reopen is not off the table.

“Well, that’s definitely something to be looked at. The reality is most of the education funding comes from the state and local level, so in excess of 90 percent of it does,” she said. “But what the president and all those at a roundtable today made very clear is the expectation that kids have got to continue their learning. There is no reason to withhold full-time education.”

She added: “We are looking at this very seriously. This is a very serious issue across the country. Kids have got to continue learning, schools have got to open up. There has got to concerted effort to address the needs of all kids, and adults who are fearmongering and making excuses have simply got to stop doing it, and turn their attention on what is right for students and for their families.”

Alan Herrera

Alan is a writer, editor, and news junkie based in New York.

Recent Posts

Des Moines Register Should Laugh At Trump’s Lawsuit Threat

Trump is now threatening to sue The Des Moines Register and the former pollster for…

8 hours ago

Third Federal Judge Sabotages Trump By Reversing Retirement Plan

Senate Republicans cut a deal with Democrats to appoint a slate of Biden judges in…

9 hours ago

Industries Urge Trump To Allow Them To Pollute Air And Water

Industry groups have written a 21-page letter to Trump asking him to roll back Biden's…

1 day ago

Bernie Sanders Schools Kristen Welker On Biden’s Legacy And Trump’s Oligarchy

Meet The Press's Kristen Welker asked Sen. Bernie Sanders about Biden pardoning his son, and…

2 days ago

Adam Schiff Blasts Trump’s Pardons For 1/6 Insurrectionists

Senator-Elect and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) had some strong words for Trump's plan to pardon…

2 days ago

Trump Puts Devin Nunes In Charge Of Advising Him On Intelligence

Trump announced that he is making former Rep. Devin Nunes the chairman of a private…

2 days ago