The Trump administration is aggressively pressuring school reopening in fall, as cases of coronavirus continue to rise across the country. With the country now recording an average of over 50,000 cases a day, President Trump said young people were not being severely affected by the virus and were handling the virus extraordinarily well.
While speaking at a select group of education stakeholders at the White House, he said he was in the process of putting more pressure on governors, school districts, and everyone else involved in order to reopen schools in the fall. He indicated that reopening of schools was important for the country, and also addressed the well being of the students who are now at home, saying it would greatly improve once the return back to school.
Trump gives political angle against school reopening
In his Twitter account, the President continued pushing for school reopening by firstly claiming that his Opponent, Joe Biden, did not want schools to reopen for political reasons. He said his opponent was betting on the schools not reopening in fall as they would hurt his chances of being reelected as the President again.
Corrupt Joe Biden and the Democrats don’t want to open schools in the Fall for political reasons, not for health reasons! They think it will help them in November. Wrong, the people get it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2020
In another tweet, the president continued to attack those who were making it difficult for schools reopening, and this time he targeted the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He called CDC for putting guidelines which he termed as unrealistic and would lead to further delays in school reopenings, declaring that he disagreed with such a move. He also indicated he would be holding a meeting with the CDC to discuss about the new guidelines released for school reopenings.
I disagree with @CDCgov on their very tough & expensive guidelines for opening schools. While they want them open, they are asking schools to do very impractical things. I will be meeting with them!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020
Trump threatens federal school funding cut for non-school opening
Trump also compared the US with other countries such as Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, which had already reopened schools. He said these countries had reopened schools with no problems and it was all a political move by the Democratic Party to keep the schools closed. Trump felt this would make him look bad, which would be bad for his reelection. In the tweet, he also threatened to cut federal school funding for schools and states which would not reopen in the fall.
In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020
Some states, such as Florida, have already indicated that they will be willing to follow President Trump’s guidelines and have already started the process of reopening school. The Florida governor, amidst rising cases of the virus, indicated that all schools should reopen in the fall for face to face classes.
