Rep. Katherine Clark called for the resignation of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Monday, saying her “racist research” makes her “unfit to carry on this job.”
“I am calling for her resignation because she has failed to live up to her basic job responsibilities: making sure that our kids have fair and equitable access to a great public education and to keep them safe,” the Massachusetts Democrat said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show.
“She rescinded civil rights policy and cherry-picked racist research to back it up. What she did was roll back Obama-era protections for children of color who we know are disciplined at far greater rates than their white peers,” she said.
“Her fundamental failure to stick up for children as secretary of education makes her unfit to carry on this job,” Ms. Clark added.
Education press secretary Liz Hill said the lawmaker’s calls were nothing more than “political opportunism.”
“The Secretary rescinded this guidance months ago because she heard repeatedly that it wasn’t working for students or for teachers. For the Congresswoman to show up today and try to grab headlines is nothing more than political opportunism at its worst,” Ms. Hill said in a statement to The Hill.
“Secretary DeVos always has and always will fight to make sure every student is treated like an individual and has the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that is safe and nurturing,” the spokesperson said.
The Trump administration moved in December to repeal Obama-era policies meant to prevent racial profiling in school discipline, but critics said it dissuaded school officials from punishing problem students in fear of retaliation.
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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