American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten has been appointed to a new Department of Homeland Security advisory council for school safety. The group is tasked with recommending “emergency measures,” “preparedness,” and “safety” and security in schools.

Weingarten became a prominent figure during the Covid outbreak as one of those who advocated for school closures. Emails obtained by Americans for Public Trust reveal that the AFT, America’s second largest teachers’ union pushed the CDC for a delay in opening schools, well after other developed countries had returned their children to school.

The AFT Chicago affiliate also condemned Lori Lightfoot’s efforts to reopen the school in 2022. She said that her actions were “rooted in racism, sexism and misogyny.”

The prolonged school closures, especially among American children and teens, have impacted academic achievement rates.

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The National Assessment of Education Progress, also known as “Nation’s Report Card”, revealed on Wednesday that math scores among 13-year olds have reached a record low. The reading scores of American teens have also seen a similar drop, falling four points since their last assessment in 2020.

Ben Cline, a Republican from Virginia, condemned the announcement. “Randi Weingarten chose to appease teacher unions rather than get students back into the classroom during this pandemic. The math and reading scores of 13-year olds in the United States are now at their lowest levels for decades.

The Freedom Caucus member asked on Twitter: “Why does DHS reward bad policies?”

Senator Rick Scott (R. – Florida) Similarly, Senator Rick Scott (R., Fl.) vented his anger at the appointment. Weingarten, he said, “should not be the person to advise anyone about school safety.”

On Monday afternoon, Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas revealed that Weingarten is one of the 20 new council members. Mayorkas stated that leaders of academic institutions and campus activities have much to offer to help us combat the evolving and new threats to our homeland.

The Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council will provide insights on strategic research, innovations, career development and partnership opportunities to the Department. This will help us safeguard Americans and prepare our country for any future threats.

Weingarten appeared before the House Select Subcommittee for the Coronavirus Pandemic late in April to discuss the role of the union in the delay in reopening schools. House Republicans focused on the AFT’s inability to participate in public-health conversations with the CDC.

Mariannette Miller Meeks (R. Iowa), a Republican, asked the union boss: “Did you have your scientists present to you that, by June 2020, out of 1.8 million kids in this age range, how many of them died of Covid?”

Weingarten responded, “I don’t know that number.” The Iowa representative then answered her question by saying “zero.”