Betsy DeVos supports Trump administration's plan to arm school staff


Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is on board with the Trump administration's plan to train and arm teachers and school staff — though she isn't sure of how the specifics should shake out.
In an appearance on NBC's Today on Monday morning, DeVos addressed the White House's plan to provide funding for states that choose to train teachers and school personnel to carry firearms on campus. DeVos was specifically asked about President Trump's previous suggestion that between 10 and 40 percent of school staff could qualify for this type of program.
"I don't have a percentage," DeVos said. "It should only be those capable and qualified and only in places where it's appropriate. ... The point is that schools should have this tool if they choose to use the tool."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
DeVos, who was assigned to lead a commission to prevent school violence, said that it wouldn't be necessary to assign a gun to every classroom or every grade and added that the program shouldn't be mandated. She also suggested that the administration's views could change: "Everything is on the table" in negotiations, she told NBC's Savannah Guthrie.
DeVos has been facing sharp criticism for struggling to answer simple education policy questions in a Sunday night 60 Minutes interview. Her vague answers and inability to defend her beliefs in TV appearances Sunday and Monday alarmed even White House officials, reports CNN.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Can US tourism survive Trump's policies?
Today's Big Question The tourist economy is 'heading in the wrong direction'
-
Female friendship in middle age, teachers versus fascists and Covid psychosis
the week recommends September books include Angela Flournoy's 'The Wilderness,' Randi Weingarten's 'Why Fascists Fear Teachers' and Patricia Lockwood's 'Will There Ever Be Another You'
-
'Total rat eradication in New York has been deemed impossible'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants
-
Florida aims to end all state vaccine requirements
Speed Read Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to cut vaccine access and install anti-vaccine activists at the FDA and CDC
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
Trump vows to send federal forces to Chicago, Baltimore
Speed Read The announcement followed a California judge ruling that Trump's LA troop deployment was illegal
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer