During an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos raised eyebrows when she continued pushing for schools to reopen this fall.
DeVos' insistence about schools comes despite surges in cases of the viral pandemic across the United States in recent weeks.
DeVos commented:
"What we're saying is that kids need to be back in school and that school leaders across the country need to be making plans to do just that. There's going to be the exception to the rule, but the rule should be that kids go back to school this fall. Where there are little flare-ups or hot spots, that can be dealt with on a school-by-school or a case-by-case basis."
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calls on schools to reopen despite CDC guidelines that say children meeting in grou… https://t.co/mgPngw68LG— CNN Politics (@CNN Politics) 1594560210.0
DeVos also stood by the federal government's relaxed approach to guidelines, saying that giving individual schools and states freedom to determine their own path forward will start working soon.
"The CDC guidelines are just that, meant to be flexible and meant to be applied as appropriate for the situation."
CongresswomanAyanna Pressley called DeVos out on Twitter with a pretty scathing burn.
.@BetsyDeVosED you have no plan. Teachers, kids and parents are fearing for their lives. You point to a private sec… https://t.co/c5knbSHVyU— Ayanna Pressley (@Ayanna Pressley) 1594577481.0
Twitter was absolutely stunned by the ferocity of Pressley's shade.
This was no "swipe" by Rep. Pressley. It was righteous double barrel cannon fire. Protect your kids and houseplant… https://t.co/0I7uFaLNQH— Larry Middleton (@Larry Middleton) 1594602825.0
I am with @AyannaPressley. We need clear federal guidelines and resources on how to safely open schools this fall. https://t.co/bmpqQ1BYXC— Tom Steyer (@Tom Steyer) 1594657618.0
.@AyannaPressley really has no time for Betsy DeVos and her nonsense. https://t.co/Ok0WUi9qGB— MoveOn (@MoveOn) 1594653125.0
On a more serious level, most people seemed to agree that if the government's CDC recommended schools stay closed, the same government shouldn't be making schools reopen.
US Rep. Ayanna Pressley criticizes Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for White House’s school reopening plan amid cor… https://t.co/awFaB7lk8w— richard tebaldi (@richard tebaldi) 1594658575.0
@thehill OHHH SNAP! I SAID... SNAP! The best part of that is, Pressley is right... and DeVos knows it.— Brian D. Stone (@Brian D. Stone) 1594606383.0
Many thanked Pressley for responding to DeVos' unpreparedness with an appropriate level of attitude.
@thehill https://t.co/Fcb65MvE68— Evaqui 🐝 🍷 (@Evaqui 🐝 🍷) 1594650994.0
@AyannaPressley @BetsyDeVosED Best verbal take down of DeVos EVER. Thank you for being the voice of our kids Ms Pre… https://t.co/Rz3Y20UAfu— karmo57 (@karmo57) 1594655728.0
Thank you Congresswoman Pressley!!!! Some of us have the guts to speak up and be responsible to their fellow brothe… https://t.co/QrYjsFUiEU— jule hanlon (@jule hanlon) 1594654073.0
Many parents in the United States surely feel similarly to Pressley.
Perfect words to describe how parents feel about DeVos.https://t.co/I11fbrH3SI— Yvonne (@Yvonne) 1594653644.0
@thehill I admit I chuckled. Then I felt bad because of the seriousness of the problem.— Philip (VOTE BLUE) Deevy (@Philip (VOTE BLUE) Deevy) 1594645654.0
Of course, DeVos isn't a particularly beloved figure in American politics.
@thehill @edgar_a_bitch Pressley is right. I mean, Betsy doesn't even trust HERSELF with house plants. https://t.co/nYBlAGBdnA— Kylo-Ren Faire Wears A Mask In Public (@Kylo-Ren Faire Wears A Mask In Public) 1594647021.0
@thehill the fact she doesnt have a plan to re open schools if mind blowing. What does her day consist of if shes… https://t.co/HRyUX2Li6C— TheHari (@TheHari) 1594646842.0
The next time Betsy DeVos goes on TV, she'd better have some better answers prepared if she wants to avoid another public roasting.