President Trump can post a violent video with impunity — but a public school principal couldn’t
By now you’ve probably seen at least once the video that President Trump recently tweeted — the one showing him walking just outside a wrestling ring and then punching to the ground a man whose head had been replaced by the CNN logo.
And you’ve either decided that it was a “genuine” effort to communicate with Americans, as homeland security adviser Tom Bossert said, or you think it is a dangerous attack on the press and an invitation for bullies to settle scores with violence, like numerous critics said.
But whatever you think, it’s worth mentioning that the posting of such a video would get educators and administrators and even students in some degree of trouble. How much trouble would depend on who did it, who the target was and other such details, but getting away scot-free probably wouldn’t be an option, according to educational leaders.
Bob Farrace, director of public affairs at the National Association of Secondary School Principals, had this to say when asked what would happen to a principal in a public school who posted a video similar to Trump’s:
I cannot think of an instance in which a principal’s posting such a video would be considered appropriate behavior. At its most innocuous — if a principal, for instance, were punching the image of a rival team’s mascot — it would likely be deemed at least in poor taste, and the principal would quickly recognize the need to apologize.Punching the effigy of any other stakeholder group would likely bring serious repercussions. In any case, given that you want to engage your stakeholder groups to help you achieve your goals, it’s a pretty awful outreach strategy.
Daniel Domenech is the executive director of the American Association of School Administrators and a former longtime superintendent of the well-regarded Fairfax County President Trump can post a violent video with impunity — but a public school principal couldn’t - The Washington Post: