NYT: Sessions And DeVos Clashed Over Protections For Transgender Students

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo


By ESME CRIBB Published FEBRUARY 22, 2017, 12:29 PM EDT

Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos clashed over a draft executive order regarding protections for transgender students in public schools, according to a report published Wednesday by the New York Times.

The order would rescind guidelines by President Barack Obama's administration on the use of school bathrooms by transgender students, according to the Times. Under the Obama administration's guidance, transgender students can use restrooms in accordance with their gender identity.

DeVos told President Donald Trump that she was uncomfortable with the order, according to three Republicans with direct knowledge of the internal discussions cited in the report.

According to the New York Times, Sessions pressed DeVos to sign off on the order, since he couldn't move forward without her consent. After Trump sided with Sessions, the Republican sources said, DeVos caved.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sessions-devos-transgender-students-protection-executive-order-trump

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. Very interesting.

[JHan]

2. reason #92584905842954290548 why Sessions was always Trump's most dangerous cabinet pick.

[NurseJackie]

3. Call me suspicious and cynical, but I think this is a MANUFACTURED story for the purpose of...

... trying to rehabilitate Betsy's image. I don't believe it for a second.

[Else You Are Mad]

6. I had that same thought.

I can't look it up at this moment, but I would love to know DeVos's stance on the transgender bathroom issue.

[C_U_L8R]

7. Exactly.

And regardless, she was totally ineffective..

[Ligyron]

4. I'm surprized she feels that way.

Maybe she knows someone?

[dalton99a]

5. I'd say Sessions ranks right below Bannon and Kushner in the WH pecking order

[msanthrope]

8. Basically, this just confirms DeVos's incompetence. nt

[n2doc]

9. I don't believe it

Trump’s education secretary pick supported anti-gay causes

By BENJAMIN WERMUND and KIMBERLY HEFLING


Civil rights groups say they're “deeply concerned" that the extension of civil rights protections to gay and transgender students by President Barack Obama’s Education Department will be dismantled by Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s pick to lead the department.

They note the DeVos family has a long history of supporting anti-gay causes — including donating hundreds of thousands to groups that push “conversion therapy” — raising questions about how, if at all, she would address discrimination against gay and transgender students.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/betsy-devos-education-secretary-civil-rights-gay-transgender-students-231837

[dalton99a]

10. +1

[geek tragedy]

11. in the land of the blind ...

also, when she's in charge of an agency and has to deal with the fallout as part of her job, lessens the motivation to piss in the pool.

[n2doc]

13. So far I haven't seen any inclination to moderation in her.

Maybe the story is right, but it goes against a very long trail of bigotry from her.

[geek tragedy]

15. I wouldn't attribute it to absence of bigotry so much as an unwillingness to deal

with the fallout of imposing punitive measures on trans students. Very easy to hurt people as a private donor with zero chance of blowback.

[Baitball Blogger]

12. Was it bad that I wasn't even able to guess which one would step up and defend

the rights of transgender students...and I'm still surprised it was Sessions?

[asiliveandbreathe]

14. So who benefits the most from the controversy..

Sessions, for the moment believes his arse is glued to his AG chair..devos, on the otherhand, has much to gain by trying to pander to us..I will hold the comment she made that "teachers are just waiting to be told what to do"...she has been much maligned..and for good reason...I'm not falling for it..

My son, a 5th grade teacher and my daughter-in-law - teaches math - middle school..and they both say, hey devos - come join us and tell us we are waiting to be told what to do...