Teachers' union boss tapped to serve on council to advise Homeland Security Department



Left-wing teachers' union president Randi Weingarten has been selected to sit on a panel tasked with advising the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The DHS press release states that "Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced new members to the Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council (HSAPC), which he reconstituted in 2022. The Council will provide strategic and actionable recommendations to the Secretary on campus safety and security, improved coordination, research priorities, hiring, and more."

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Northwestern University President Michael Schill, and San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre are a few of the other figures selected to serve on the council.

"The Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council's insights into strategic research, innovation, career development, and partnership opportunities for the Department will support our mission to safeguard the American people, and help our country think through and prepare for whatever threats lie ahead," Mayorkas said, according to the press release.

Weingarten is the president of the American Federation of Teachers, which recently endorsed President Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential primary where he is facing challenges from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson.

"@rweingarten is the last person who should be advising anyone on school safety," U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida (R) tweeted in response to the news.

— (@)

"What an insult to every parent who dealt with closed schools," former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted.

Pompeo has previously described Weingarten as the most dangerous individual on earth.

"If you ask, 'Who's the most likely to take this republic down?' It would be the teacher's unions, and the filth that they're teaching our kids, and the fact that they don't know math and reading or writing," Pompeo told Semafor last year.

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Biden admin tries to revise history, blames school closures on Trump's 'mismanaged' pandemic response



The Biden administration played a game of revisionist history on Thursday, attempting to blame the Trump administration for extended school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the background?

New test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that math and reading performance among 9-year-old students has plummeted because of school closures during the pandemic, erasing 20 years of progress.

The New York Times reported:

The declines spanned almost all races and income levels and were markedly worse for the lowest-performing students. While top performers in the 90th percentile showed a modest drop — three points in math — students in the bottom 10th percentile dropped by 12 points in math, four times the impact.

What did the WH say?

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about the NAEP's results on Thursday, and she responded by blaming the shocking education decline on a "mismanaged" pandemic response by the Trump administration.

Completely whitewashing what actually happened, Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden opened schools despite Republican opposition to his agenda.

"Let’s step back to where we were not too long ago when this president walked into this administration: how mismanaged the response to the pandemic was; how in less than six months, our schools went from 46% open to nearly all of them being open to full time," she said.

"That was the work of this president," Jean-Pierre claimed. "And that was the work of Democrats in spite of Republicans not voting for the American Rescue Plan."

"We were in a place where, again, schools were not open. The economy was shut down. Businesses were shut down," Jean-Pierre went on to say, claiming the NAEP's report "shows you how mismanaged the pandemic was and how the impact of that mismanagement had on kids’ progress and academic well-being."

09/01/22: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre youtu.be

Is that what happened?

First, it is not true that former President Donald Trump is to blame for school and the economy shutting down during the pandemic. Those decisions were made by individual states.

Second, it is revisionist history to suggest that America reopened because of Biden. Republican-controlled states, like Texas and Florida, had long been open when Biden became president, much to the chagrin of Democrats and the media, who accused Govs. Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis of endangering their residents by not keeping their states locked down.

Third, when Biden came into office, administration officials repeatedly questioned the reopening of schools precisely because the COVID-19 vaccine had just been released to the public and younger people had not yet had access to it. Meanwhile, teachers' unions strongly opposed a return to in-person learning.

Click the below Twitter threat to hear Biden administration officials, Democrats, and teachers' union officials in their own words opposing schools reopening:

\u201cThread: Dems who fought to keep schools closed\n\n1) AFT's @rweingarten, July 28, 2021, refusing to commit to re-opening schools\u201d
— Tom Elliott (@Tom Elliott) 1662060126

Virginia dad goes nuclear on teachers' union boss: They require 'permission slips' for 'snacks,' 'field trips' but not to 'talk about my son’s penis'



A father in Loudoun County, Virginia, tore into American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten this week after the union boss claimed that a growing parental rights movement in America could lead to civil war.

What did he say?

Brandon Michon — an outspoken parent who is also running for Congress as a Republican in Virginia's 10th district — told Fox News on Monday that union heads and school boards across the country are the ones who started the conflict by pushing progressive ideologies in schools.

"They've already invaded the classroom," Michon charged.

"When you think about it, [the union] colluded with the CDC, colluded with the DOJ and this administration on calling parents domestic terrorists," he said.

Michon, who has four children under the age of 10, accused Loudoun County Public Schools and other progressive school districts of pushing their radical views surrounding sexual orientation, gender identity, and critical race theory on children without consent from parents.

"They have to have signed permission slips for their snacks, they have to have signed permission slips to go on field trips, but no one is asking me for permission to talk about my son’s penis," he exclaimed. "It is unacceptable. They are pushing indoctrination on the most innocent part of the population."

The special interest groups and unions invaded education a long time ago. Parents will continue to advocate for a proper education of our children. \n\nWhen elected I will investigate you @rweingarten \n\nJoin us May 21st so we can get this country back on track. \n\n#VA10 @FoxNewspic.twitter.com/Lb6llsB0Vf
— Brandon Michon (@Brandon Michon) 1650908192

What's the background?

Weingarten made headlines last week after going off on proponents of the parental rights in education movement in America during an unhinged radio interview.

"We've been very lucky in America, and we in some ways live in a bubble for a long time. This is propaganda. This is misinformation. This is the way in which wars start. This is the way in which hatred starts," the teachers union leader fumed to radio host Rick Smith.

Elsewhere in the discussion, she called backlash against progressive ideology being taught in public schools an "existential threat" to the country and complained that "right-wing extremists" are "exploiting" parents' fears to accomplish political ends.

Weingarten's remarks served as a flash point in the heated battle between parents who want more control over their children's education and the leaders of educational institutions who think they know better.

In recent months, parental outrage over transgender-affirming and critical race theory curricula in schools has culminated in legislation aiming to prevent such unwanted indoctrination. Perhaps the most popular piece of legislation is Florida's House Bill 1557, which bars classroom discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade and establishes scaleable guidelines for discussion on the subject matter in grades thereafter.

What else?

Outraged over what his children were being taught in school, Michon decided to speak up at school board meetings last year. Now he's running for office with a campaign focused on parental empowerment and putting children's interests first.

"The children just want to learn," Michon told Fox News.

"If you want to talk about the biggest equalizer in all of education, literacy. Let’s get back to teaching more literacy. That [lifts] up all socio-economic classes," he argued, adding, "Don’t talk about the vocal minority of parents when there is vocal minority on the other side. We need to renew the focus on our children. Math, science, history, the things that will make them good members of society."

Teachers union president and Chuck Schumer caught maskless at political retreat in Puerto Rico



Democratic New York lawmakers, union leaders, and lobbyists flocked to Puerto Rico last week to participate in the annual SOMOS legislative conference. The SOMOS conference featured prominent New York Democratic politicians, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams, Attorney General Letitia James, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Also in attendance at the political retreat were Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, both of whom were spotted maskless during the conference.

In Puerto Rico, masks are required in all indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. However, Weingarten was seen maskless with other conference attendees who were also not wearing face coverings.

Gotta love when school leaders @rweingarten @DOEChancellor mingle with others..in a packed room...with no masks..yet...I wonder if everyone needed proof of Vax to attend this 'work vaca'...they sure didn't need masks...@AppletoZucchini @daniela127 @Chalkbeatpic.twitter.com/Tjr4dQsiu1

— Adriana Aviles (@nanalatinaAA) 1636151440

Ironically, Weingarten has previously called for all students and children to wear masks. "Universal masking in schools can save lives," she wrote in August.

Universal masking in schools can save lives. \u00a0https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/10/opinion/covid-schools-masks.html\u00a0\u2026

— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) 1628645131

AFT\u2019s @rweingarten says \u201cuniversal masking\u201d is needed to keep schools open: \n\n\u201cWe see the Delta variant be very transmissible. And so that\u2019s why what masks do is masks stop transmission. So universal masking is going to be very helpful to keep kids safe."pic.twitter.com/mjH0Fg9IPB

— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) 1627914849

440 students in Palm Beach County in quarantine two days into school year, superintendent says- we need universal masking in Fla schools \u2066@FloridaEA\u2069https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-students-quarantined-20210812-tva5ecdlnjdbjbcdxukekzyi4e-story.html\u00a0\u2026

— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) 1628801136

After being called out for her hypocrisy, Weingarten attempted to explain why she wasn't wearing a mask.

"I wear a mask most of the time indoors," Weingarten responded. "We took them off as people were having a hard time hearing us."

"You could not be Somos or the hotel or panel w/o proof of vaccination. I had also just done a rapid Covid test & was negative," said Weingarten, the head of the second-largest teachers union in the nation. "Frankly I think you are right. If kids are wearing masks in schools to protect themselves & others educators must wear masks inside as well. I'm sorry."

She wrote on Twitter, "I wore my mask the rest of the conference."

Daniela Jampel — mother of three and founding member of the grassroots, nonpartisan group Keep NYC Schools Open — told Fox News, "Ms. Weingarten's response articulates what so many parents already know - masks are a hindrance to communication and to learning. But unlike adults, when kids in school can't understand or hear their teacher, or can't be understood or heard themselves, they do not have the option of simply removing their masks."

Also at SOMOS, Chuck Schumer was caught without a mask while indoors surrounded by people in a crowded room with no social distancing being practiced. Schumer was seen maskless dancing hand-in-hand with New York City Council member Carlina Rivera (D), who was also not wearing a mask.

How many Speaker race points for a Merengue with @SenSchumer? @CarlinaRivera goes all in:pic.twitter.com/gR547gwbL8

— Gloria Pazmino (@GloriaPazmino) 1636160620

Schumer is feeling the music at Somos pic.twitter.com/voQZ7KgsMb

— Emma G. Fitzsimmons (@emmagf) 1636160167

There is a long list of Democrats who have violated COVID-19 guidances, including: President Joe Biden, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Biden's special envoy on climate John Kerry, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and Los Angeles County supervisor Sheila Kuehl.

Union leader Weingarten walks back claim that 'millions of Floridians are going to die' due to Gov. DeSantis' 'ignorance'



American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten walked back her comments on Wednesday after tweeting that there would be "millions" of deaths in the Sunshine State for the "ignorance" of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis' campaign merchandise includes items with the phrase, "Don't Fauci My Florida," a clear jab at Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden. Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been a prominent figure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weingarten lambasted the Republican governor on Wednesday.

"Disgusting. Millions of Floridians are going to die for Ron DeSantis' ignorance and he's choosing to profit from it. He doesn't care about Floridians; he cares about furthering his own cruel agenda," she tweeted.

Disgusting. Millions of Floridians are going to die for Ron DeSantis’ ignorance and he’s choosing to profit from it… https://t.co/2srxIHyIW4

— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) 1626298014.0

Some Twitter users ridiculed her claim. And later Wednesday, Weingarten said that she should not have exaggerated by saying that there would be "millions" of deaths.

"You are all probably right… I shouldn't have said millions.. I should have just said DeSantis was wrong to do this.. Fauci is an amazing public servant. He shouldn't be mocked. But I shouldn't engage in that kind of hyperbole either. My bad…" Weingarten wrote.

One person fired back in response to Weingarten's tweet: "But without hyperbole and a little dash of fear, where would @AFTunion be?"

Damon Linker of The Week welcomed Weingarten's decision to walk back her original remarks: "Thank you for this. I was one of your critics on the hyperbole. Much appreciated."

@rweingarten Thank you for this. I was one of your critics on the hyperbole. Much appreciated.

— Damon Linker (@DamonLinker) 1626353890.0

The COVID-19 death toll for the U.S. currently stands a bit higher than 608,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

DeSantis, who previously served as a U.S. congressman, is a popular figure on the political right.

While former President Donald Trump trounced all of the other individuals listed on a recent CPAC Dallas straw poll that asked who people would vote for in a 2024 GOP presidential primary, DeSantis earned 21%, coming in second to Trump who received a whopping 70%.

On another list of candidates that did not include former President Trump, DeSantis crushed the competition, earning 68%, with second place going to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who received just 5%.

#BREAKING: Former President Trump wins the #CPAC straw poll for 2024 GOP presidential nominee, with Gov. Ron DeSant… https://t.co/ZT6o6UqfqY

— Forbes (@Forbes) 1626035006.0

Teachers union president gets ridiculed online for claiming 'millions' will die from COVID-19 in Florida



Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, lashed out at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) but was mocked and ridiculed for the mathematically impossible claim she made.

Weingarten was responding to merchandise being sold by DeSantis' campaign team that declared, "Don't Fauci My Florida," but she faced ridicule for her reply.

"Disgusting. Millions of Floridians are going to die for Ron DeSantis' ignorance and he's choosing to profit from it," tweeted Weingarten.

Disgusting. Millions of Floridians are going to die for Ron DeSantis’ ignorance and he’s choosing to profit from it… https://t.co/2srxIHyIW4

— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) 1626298014.0

"He doesn't care about Floridians; he cares about furthering his own cruel agenda," she added.

As many of her detractors pointed out, there have been about 38,000 deaths from the coronavirus in Florida, a tragic statistic but one far short of the "millions" she claimed.

"MILLIONS says America's favorite cartoon villain," responded Phil Kerpen of American Commitment. "Get a math tutor."

"Florida has 21 million residents, so more than 10% are going to die from policies he enacted months ago? Are you sure you're in…education?" replied Emily Zanotti of Daily Wire.

"Millions! Randi hopefully taught neither math nor science," joked Guy Benson.

"Kinda sad that you're supposed to help kids learn math," replied Andrew Follett of the Club for Growth.

"Are you off your meds?" asked Dan Gainor of Newsbusters. "A great ad why we should decertify every teachers union."

Others on the left were similarly incensed at the pandemic merchandise and lashed out at the governor on social media. Weingarten was also lambasted in March when she complained about the plight of teachers at a time when parents were forced to deal with school shutdowns.

While Weingarten was way off on her estimation of the deaths in Florida from the coronavirus, infections in the state have begun to increase, likely due to the spread of coronavirus variants.

Here's more about the surge in Florida:

Florida COVID-19 cases surge; positivity rates up sharplywww.youtube.com