DeVos defends rollback of protection for transgender students. Critics blast her: ‘You rolled over like a puppy.’
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is reported to have been initially opposed to the Trump administration’s decision to roll back federal guidelines specifying that transgender students have the right to use public school restrooms that match their gender identity — but that isn’t what she said in a statement she issued defending it.
Administration officials said late Wednesday that they are ordering the nation’s public schools to disregard guidance issued by the Obama administration saying that prohibiting transgender students from using facilities that align with their gender identity violates federal anti-discrimination laws.
Earlier Wednesday, there were reports that DeVos had opposed the move. The Washington Post said she was at odds with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was intent on reversing the guidance. The New York Times reported that Sessions went to President Trump about the dispute, and he told DeVos he wanted her to go along. And in her first big policy move, she did.
During the day, White House press secretary Sean Spicer denied that DeVos and Sessions were at odds over the decision, saying:
“There’s no daylight between anybody — between the president, between any of the secretaries. I think there’s been some discussion between the timing of the issuance and recommendations — or between the exact wording. But as far as the conclusions go, I’ve made this clear and the president’s made it clear throughout the campaign that he is a firm believer of states’ rights and that certain issues like this are not best dealt with at the federal level.”
Asked specifically about whether DeVos agreed with the decision, he said, “Yes, 100 percent.”
Later DeVos issued a statement (see text in full below) defending the administration’s action, saying:
“This is an issue best solved at the state and local level. Schools, communities, and families can find — and in many cases have found — solutions that protect all students.”
She began the statement with an apparent effort to express concern for the safety of all students, presumably including transgender students, the majority of whom feel unsafe at school, according to surveys. She said:
“We have a responsibility to protect every student in America and ensure that they have the freedom to learn and thrive in a safe and trusted environment. ThisDeVos defends rollback of protection for transgender students. Critics blast her: ‘You rolled over like a puppy.’ - The Washington Post:
