Betsy DeVos

Elisabeth “Betsy” DeVos is a Republican politician and businesswomen currently serving under the Trump administration as Secretary of Education. DeVos was appointed to this role in 2017, becoming the 11th person to assume the position.

Early Career
Before taking on the role of Secretary of Education, DeVos was an advocate for school choice, school vouchers, and charter schools, serving on several posts in the Republican party. She was Michigan’s Republican National Committeewoman from 1992-1997, and became the chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 1996 to 2000 and was reelected to that position in 2003. She has been involved in political fundraising and has served on the boards of several education programs and institutions.

When in November 2016, then President-elect Donald Trump announced Betsy DeVos as his (second) pick for Secretary of Education, Democrats and some Republicans were extremely disapproving of the choice. However, DeVos was narrowly confirmed in a 51-50 vote in which Vice President Mike Pence was called in to make the deciding vote.

Actions as Secretary of Education
Since DeVos’ confirmation in February 2017, she has made a number of controversial decisions regarding education.
 * February 10th 2017 - DeVos makes her first public appearance at Jefferson Academy in Washington, D.C. There she is met by protesters who attempt to bar her from entering the building. In retaliation, DeVos hires U.S Marshalls to act as protection, a decision that draws from taxpayer money.


 * February 27th 2017 - DeVos says that historically black colleges are “ real pioneers when it comes to school choice.” This comment caused outrage and offense to many people.


 * March 29th 2017 - In a speech, DeVos criticizes the Obama administration for giving money to the lowest-preforming schools.


 * May 10th 2017 - DeVos delivers the commencement address at Bethune-Cookman University, a historically black organization and is booed by the students.


 * May 22nd 2017 - DeVos states that schools should have the right to turn down students requesting school vouchers due to sexual identity/orientation.


 * July 6th 2017 - 18 Democratic Attorney-Generals file a lawsuit against DeVos for rescinding rules regarding the protection of students in for-profit colleges.


 * July 13th 2017 - sexual assault survivor Candice Jackson arranges a meeting with DeVos and other survivors of sexual assault on college campuses, assailants, and officials to discuss policies on sexual assault. In an interview, DeVos voiced that her main concerned was “for the falsely accused men.”


 * May 2018 - DeVos says that it’s a schools choice whether or not to report the immigration status of it’s students, going directly against a Supreme Court ruling that states that schools must provide education regardless of immigration status.

School Choice
Betsy DeVos is a major supporter of school-choice, an initiative to allow students to access private schools with public education funding. She is also a proponent of charter schools and school vouchers—all three controversial topics.