Photo: Tia Dufour/Official White House Photo
Photo: Tia Dufour/Official White House PhotoPresident Trump has unleashed a war of words against schools, accusing them of indoctrinating children, and lumping them together with a favorite target, the news media, and a newer one, “far-left fascism,” which he has linked to the Black Lives Matter protests that have exploded in recent months since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.
On Friday, in his speech at Mount Rushmore, he said, “our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children.”
Elaborating on that theme, he said “in our schools, our newsrooms, even our corporate boardrooms, there is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance. The violent mayhem we have seen in the streets and cities that are run by liberal Democrats in every case is the predictable result of years of extreme indoctrination and bias in education, journalism and other cultural institutions. Against every law of society and nature, our children are taught in school to hate their own country and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes, but that they were villains. The radical view of American history is a web of lies — all perspective is removed, every virtue is obscured, every motive is twisted, every fact is distorted and every flaw is magnified until the history is purged and the record is disfigured beyond all recognition.”
His remarks came while public education has been essentially upended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and there has been little in-classroom instruction, so tying the current protest to any specific instruction would be difficult, if not impossible.
His remarks came on the same day that former Vice President Joe Biden spoke remotely to about 8,000 members of the Representative Assembly of the National Education Association. The tone of his remarks was dramatically different from Trump’s and represented a virtual love-fest between the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate and the nation’s largest teachers’ union. Among other things, he said he would push to triple Title I federal funding targeted to low-income students and double the number of school psychologists, counselors, nurses and social workers in schools.
And in contrast to Trump’s attacks on teachers and teaching, Biden says they should have more authority and independence. “You should have more input on what you teach, how you teach it and when you teach it,” he said. “You are the ones in the classroom, you should have more input.”
Trump continued his critique about indoctrination of children in his remarks the following day at the July 4 picnic, on the South Lawn of the White House, although he did not specifically target schools. “We will never allow an angry mob to tear down our statues, erase our history, indoctrinate our children, or trample on our freedoms,” he said.
It was not at all clear which heroes Trump was referring to, the Confederate generals or more recent targets of protests and statue removals like Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson and Father Junipero Serra, a key figure in the Spanish conquest and colonization of California. Nor was it clear what “laws of society and nature” he is referring to.
His comments came against a backdrop of hostility to public schools that has characterized Trump’s entire education policy agenda. Throughout his presidency, he has derided the nation’s public schools by referring to them as “government schools,” the derogatory term used by the conservative right to describe K-12 public schools. On other occasions he and Betsy DeVos, his secretary of education, have repeatedly used the term “failing schools.” In some cases, they have combined the two terms to label public schools as “failing government schools.”
Even during the pandemic, Trump and DeVos have continued to press their “school choice” agenda. DeVos has attempted to ensure that private schools get what Democrats say is an unequal share of federal education coronavirus relief dollars. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, has described one such “microgrant” initiative as a “voucher-like program, a prior initiative that has nothing to do with Covid-19.”
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Pamela Hernandez 2 years ago2 years ago
We need to stand up against the radical leftist agenda We need to teach our children morals and values and have Bible study for all
Troy Perkins 2 years ago2 years ago
We’re about to re-educate the American people with facts!!!! And; stop indoctrination of our children!!!!
John 2 years ago2 years ago
Twisting the truth for political reasons. Every country has baggage, including America. Marxism and its undeniable evils should not be pushed into little kids.
ROBERT CULP 2 years ago2 years ago
If you are against school choice, then you favor that children must learn from whom you say they should, and that is indoctrination.
Mrs.Sologob 2 years ago2 years ago
I would love to disagree with Trump, but with virtual learning I discovered this to be true. My 4th grader had an assignment on MLK and the teacher was talking about systemic racism and oppression. The teacher was trying to prove “White privilege,” and this sent me through the roof. I’m black and my husband is white, and there is no white privilege in my household. My daughter was so confused, and I had to pull her out of public school.
Barr 2 years ago2 years ago
While I’m not in any classes of the sort, a sibling is, and I overhear the meetings they have daily. It is so true! The teacher loves posing his own opinions (far-left, of course), and cuts anyone off that opposes him.
Valerie 2 years ago2 years ago
Parents work hard. years of love & sweat instilling our values, morals and that knowledge is power to our children... We send our kids into higher education for academics and a clearer path to success yet they come out of liberal edu as zombie activists of a low bar standard. Trump could have/ should have the opportunity b/c he'd have done so much more w/ another four years for the integrity of our country … Read More
Parents work hard. years of love & sweat instilling our values, morals and that knowledge is power to our children… We send our kids into higher education for academics and a clearer path to success yet they come out of liberal edu as zombie activists of a low bar standard. Trump could have/ should have the opportunity b/c he’d have done so much more w/ another four years for the integrity of our country and for the next generations. Bowman says, capitalism is slavery yet Democrats say they’re progressive while they’ve proven times over to only be regressive no nothings that like to hear themselves speak. Term Limits.
Rich 2 years ago2 years ago
What Trump said is so true, I’ve seen it way before Trump said it, proud to have served my country, not a coward like so many. Please open your eyes before it’s too late. Tell that socialistic vp she and her family
and friends need a tour in N. Korea, Cuba, etc.
Maria 2 years ago2 years ago
Stop indoctrinating students. Socialism has never worked and it never will. People’s spirits are broken when they lose all of their rights and have one ruthless ruler.
Daumeir 3 years ago3 years ago
Most of the teachers comment here that they are not promoting the left wing agenda. But most of students come to universities indoctrinated. Freedom of discussions in humanities classes is gone, everybody is afraid to say anything different. 20 years ago I've heard a saying "it's a free country" every day. Nobody is saying it anymore. This is all the results of teachers' indoctrination. And now they even dare to say "I am OK." You are … Read More
Most of the teachers comment here that they are not promoting the left wing agenda. But most of students come to universities indoctrinated. Freedom of discussions in humanities classes is gone, everybody is afraid to say anything different. 20 years ago I’ve heard a saying “it’s a free country” every day. Nobody is saying it anymore.
This is all the results of teachers’ indoctrination. And now they even dare to say “I am OK.” You are not.
You can’t hear the word pluralism (necessary part of democracy) anymore. Salman Rushdie, Malcolm Gladwell and dozens of intellectuals sign a letter concerned about cancel culture.
But these left-wing teachers do not see any problems. Because they want a one-party system, their party, of course. Everybody else is automatically a racist.
It would be good for the country just to fire all the teachers in June, and hire new college graduates, who cannot find jobs during difficult Covid time.
Harowlt 3 years ago3 years ago
I’m in 7th grade right now and in 5th and 6th grade, every teacher I’ve had instead of 3 have been pushing left wing politics. They always talk about how their favorite president is Obama and that Trump’s wall is a joke. They also constantly get legal immigration mixed up with illegal immigration.
Jim Pillow 3 years ago3 years ago
Trump’s comments at Mount Rushmore explain why so many young white Marxists of privilege have been arrested during the BLM/Antifa sponsored white acting and looting across the nation for the past several months.
chris 3 years ago3 years ago
Political views do not belong in the classroom. I remember being forced to watch Obama’s inauguration, but now I’m told teachers disallowed students from watching Trump’s. How is this not evidence of political discrimination? Why are kids being taught a different version of history ? How come school districts run by Democrats have plenty of funds but somehow have a higher dropout rate than non-government run schools?
Anonymous student 3 years ago3 years ago
I'm a high school student and since I was in 2nd grade I've noticed that about 1/4 of what they teach us in science and history is propaganda to promote the Democrats' point of view. Most of the time it's small things like saying in history class that racism isn't completely gone. Although other times there bigger things that tell you that you have to believe specific things. One example of this is in sixth … Read More
I’m a high school student and since I was in 2nd grade I’ve noticed that about 1/4 of what they teach us in science and history is propaganda to promote the Democrats’ point of view. Most of the time it’s small things like saying in history class that racism isn’t completely gone. Although other times there bigger things that tell you that you have to believe specific things. One example of this is in sixth grade when we had a test on evolution and one of the questions on a test was multiple choice. In it, the “wrong” answer was that we all came into existence at the same time and the “right” answer was that we evolved from bacteria. You already crossed the line when you teach these things. You don’t need to go even farther to tell us that our beliefs are wrong.
This last part is to the author. Even if you don’t agree with Trump, he is still the president and deserves respect. Republicans did not like Obama, but we didn’t mock every word he said.
Replies
Jon 3 years ago3 years ago
Its because that "wrong" answer on that test WAS exactly wrong, and if you believe we all were created magically in a poof, then you will definitely not be working in any real field of applicable, provable science, Healthcare or anything related. Racism is still around and quite evident which is why you're being taught that. They need to avoid teaching anything Trump says, considering that pretty much every word that escapes his lips … Read More
Its because that “wrong” answer on that test WAS exactly wrong, and if you believe we all were created magically in a poof, then you will definitely not be working in any real field of applicable, provable science, Healthcare or anything related. Racism is still around and quite evident which is why you’re being taught that. They need to avoid teaching anything Trump says, considering that pretty much every word that escapes his lips is a verifiable falsehood. Real verifiable facts are true currency in this country and those are what you should be being taught in order to attempt to mold you into a productive, reasonably intelligent member of society so, listen to your teachers, learn the real facts.
Some Person 3 years ago3 years ago
Jon, "If you believe we all were created magically in a poof, then you will definitely not be working in any real field of applicable, provable science," how would you explain the physics that led to the creation of the Big Bang? Since we have no concrete understanding of its creation, it seems like an enormous magical poof to me. Science and truth are two very different things. Science is progressive and is only based on … Read More
Jon,
“If you believe we all were created magically in a poof, then you will definitely not be working in any real field of applicable, provable science,” how would you explain the physics that led to the creation of the Big Bang? Since we have no concrete understanding of its creation, it seems like an enormous magical poof to me. Science and truth are two very different things. Science is progressive and is only based on what we can observe, test, and repeat. What is provable today might be considered false tomorrow. At one point in time spontaneous generation, and a flat Earth were considered true. It would be amazing to look into the future and learn that what we consider to be “provable science” today is completely wrong.
Anonymous Student,
Have you thought about the possibility that God and evolution can coexist at the same time? Perhaps it was God’s intention for evolution to occur. Perhaps the creation story in Genesis did not literally occur in 6 days. “You already crossed the line when you teach these things.” School should be a place where you exchange different ideas, especially with people that hold different ideas from each other. It’s not a good idea to only view the world through one lens. It is through good debate of different ideas that we can expand our minds and learn.
Racism is still around and will most likely be around until there are no discernible racial differences in our population. Institutional racism is mostly dead, affirmative action is a form of racial discrimination against non-colored people as are college admissions that accept minorities with lower test scores than their white or asian counterparts. Organizations should eliminate such practices and move towards a 100 percent based meritocracy. Martin Luther King said it best, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Personally I think that parents should have the choice of where to spend their money and send their kid(s), I’m a fan of school choice https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice/what-is-school-choice/ .
Ultimately it is up to parents to handle their children’s education and be aware of what goes on in the classroom.
Some Person 3 years ago3 years ago
Jon, “if you believe we all were created magically in a poof, then you will definitely not be working in any real field of applicable, provable science”, how would you explain the physics that led to the creation of the Big Bang? Since we have no concrete understanding of its creation, it seems like an enormous magical poof to me. Science and truth are two very different things. Science is progressive and is only based on … Read More
Jon,
“if you believe we all were created magically in a poof, then you will definitely not be working in any real field of applicable, provable science”, how would you explain the physics that led to the creation of the Big Bang? Since we have no concrete understanding of its creation, it seems like an enormous magical poof to me. Science and truth are two very different things. Science is progressive and is only based on what we can observe, test, and repeat. What is provable today might be considered false tomorrow. At one point in time spontaneous generation, and a flat Earth were considered true. It would be amazing to look into the future and learn that what we consider to be “provable science” today is completely wrong.
Anonymous Student,
Have you thought about the possibility that God and evolution can coexist at the same time? Perhaps it was God’s intention for evolution to occur. Perhaps the creation story in Genesis did not literally occur in 6 days. “You already crossed the line when you teach these things. “, school should be a place where you exchange different ideas, especially with people that hold different ideas from each other. It’s not a good idea to only view the world through one lens. It is through good debate of different ideas that we can expand our minds and learn.
Racism is still around and will most likely be around until there are no discernible racial differences in our population. Institutional racism is mostly dead, affirmative action is a form of racial discrimination against non colored people as are college admissions that accept minorities with lower test scores than their white or asian counterparts. Organizations should eliminate such practices and move towards a 100 percent based meritocracy. Martin Luther King said it best, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Personally I think that parents should have the choice of where to spend their money and send their kid(s), I’m a fan of school choice https://www.edchoice.org/school-choice/what-is-school-choice/ .
Ultimately it is up to parents to handle their children’s education and be aware of what goes on in the classroom.
Debra Fredrickson 3 years ago3 years ago
I am a substitute teacher, former Army journalist, and am very concerned about the actions of our current administration. The propaganda and lies concerning public education presented by Trump in his recent campaign speeches were abhorrent. I read the story by Louis Freedberg (about Trump's speeches on July 3rd and 4th) in our local paper; unfortunately, the story was edited poorly by our Lake County newspaper, so the story ended just after the quote by … Read More
I am a substitute teacher, former Army journalist, and am very concerned about the actions of our current administration. The propaganda and lies concerning public education presented by Trump in his recent campaign speeches were abhorrent. I read the story by Louis Freedberg (about Trump’s speeches on July 3rd and 4th) in our local paper; unfortunately, the story was edited poorly by our Lake County newspaper, so the story ended just after the quote by Biden…”you should have more input.” This made it sound like a pro-Trump piece… which I discovered it is not, after reading the entire article on your website.
Thank you for providing more context, but most readers of my local paper likely did not see it. If I had I not done my own research, I would not have a good opinion of EdSource. I left a message for the editor of my local paper to tell them what I thought of how they edited your story, which essentially, kept the full meaning from most of their readers.
Replies
Valerie 2 years ago2 years ago
It’s truly disturbing….In more recent years military “journalists” have shown themselves to be left wing imbeciles w/ their own low to no standard agenda.
Joanne R Kraus 3 years ago3 years ago
As a teacher, I am deeply disturbed by President Trump’s comments. I do not agree with his politics at all, but I have always taught and demonstrated respect for our government and the office of the President. Additionally, I teach my students to look at all perspectives, and to use critical thinking skills to analyze words and actions. Watch out … my students will grow up and vote!
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Marie 3 years ago3 years ago
As a teacher, I hope you keep your political views to yourself as far as your students go.
Jon 3 years ago3 years ago
They just said they teach critical thinking and analyzing things from multiple perspectives, I’m not sure that translates to “I’m teaching kids my political views”
CS 3 years ago3 years ago
The problem with Trumplicans is that they don’t care what damage Trump is doing because, it’s “owning the libs.” What they can’t understand is that while they are owning the libs, they are owning themselves too. Trump is the classic dictator: 1. Portray press as enemy. 2. Portray education as enemy. 3. Keep masses ignorant and you can tell them what to believe in. This isn’t a “cherry picking pie” contest. This is an incompetent and dangerous illiterate … Read More
The problem with Trumplicans is that they don’t care what damage Trump is doing because, it’s “owning the libs.” What they can’t understand is that while they are owning the libs, they are owning themselves too. Trump is the classic dictator:
1. Portray press as enemy.
2. Portray education as enemy.
3. Keep masses ignorant and you can tell them what to believe in.
This isn’t a “cherry picking pie” contest. This is an incompetent and dangerous illiterate imbecile in the White House. Trump fails at everything he gets his tiny hands on. He’s treating America like he treated his businesses and it will take decades to recoup from this con man. If a Trumplican can’t see that, then they shouldn’t be allowed near a voting booth. Elect a clown. Expect a circus.
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Barr 2 years ago2 years ago
You only believe this is false when the media he points at is your source. The truth is, the education system, or at least part of it, is trying to push one way, and it’s more than obvious in one of my classes. This has been predicted millennia ago: Evil will win and control the world, and we’re at that point now in the education system!
Harold 3 years ago3 years ago
What a blatant, slanted, pandering piece of “journalism.” A real hit job. Heaven forbid there should be one response to all these comments plucked like cherries to make the pie of choice.
Seth 3 years ago3 years ago
I am a teacher. If Trump means developing critical thinking in children by questioning statements made by government leaders, then yes! I suppose in Trump's warped thinking, everything he states is supposed to be treated as fact when it is not and needs to be questioned. I do not see that as teaching hate, but developing individual thinking and do not always accept what is presented as fact. I am continually disgusted by Trump's ignorant … Read More
I am a teacher. If Trump means developing critical thinking in children by questioning statements made by government leaders, then yes! I suppose in Trump’s warped thinking, everything he states is supposed to be treated as fact when it is not and needs to be questioned. I do not see that as teaching hate, but developing individual thinking and do not always accept what is presented as fact. I am continually disgusted by Trump’s ignorant and inflammatory statements.
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Barr 2 years ago2 years ago
I think he primarily means in social studies, history, civics, and the like. Many, including my own, teachers in this field are trying to push their own views. It might not be you, but there are many
mary hart 3 years ago3 years ago
As a former teacher, I believe the defamatory rhetoric aimed at teachers is designed to placate political extremist groups such as the creators of professor watch list which has opened the window to online threats against professors, including my dear friend an English professor. We should stand up for all educators against the recent barrage of libelous rhetoric. I am concerned for the safety of the nine educators in my family. Thank … Read More
As a former teacher, I believe the defamatory rhetoric aimed at teachers is designed to placate political extremist groups such as the creators of professor watch list which has opened the window to online threats against professors, including my dear friend an English professor. We should stand up for all educators against the recent barrage of libelous rhetoric. I am concerned for the safety of the nine educators in my family.
Thank you for your laser focus on this issue. We should encourage language that respects educators. perhaps, the ACLU might explore the possibility of suing to obtain a cease and desist order from this potential risk that threatens the safety of educators