Ahead of DeVos Visit, Georgia Democrats Slam Trump’s Broken Promises

Ahead of Betsy DeVos’ virtual event in Atlanta today, Democratic Party of Georgia Executive Director Scott Hogan released the following statement:

“Betsy DeVos can’t spin Donald Trump’s record of broken promises. In the midst of his failed pandemic response, Trump and DeVos are using this crisis to push a disastrous anti-education agenda and deny basic protections to survivors of sexual assault on college campuses. We deserve leaders who will stand up for Georgia’s students — not serve a handful of well-connected interests. That’s why Georgians are mobilizing like never before, it’s why we’re going to put an end to this failed presidency, and it’s why we’re going to send Joe Biden to the White House.”

BACKGROUND ON TRUMP’S BROKEN PROMISES TO PROTECT STUDENTS & PUBLIC EDUCATION

Promise: “The long, slow surrender is over. We are going to be stronger than ever before, and it’s gonna be soon.” [Trump Campaign Event, June 23, 2020]

Reality: Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities estimate that they will lose $150 million in foregone summer revenue on top of the $200 million they have already lost in canceled events. Trump’s failed coronavirus response has led Georgia public schools to plan for a $1.5 billion drop in funding — a significant loss in revenue for the state’s 180 local k-12 systems.

Promise: “I am proud to announce that I am taking executive action to ensure that our wounded warriors are not saddled with mountains of student debt. […] That’s hundreds of millions of dollars in student debt held by our severely wounded warriors. It’s gone forever.” [American Veterans National Convention, August 21, 2019]

Reality: President Trump has let veterans down, implementing Betsy Devos-backed regulations that make it considerably harder for students to have their federal loans forgiven, including veterans who were targeted by for-profit colleges.

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