Teachers Union Attacks Vance

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten recently criticized Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) for his comments about her lack of children, suggesting he must be “disconnected from life.” This critique came in response to a clip from 2021 where Vance addressed the Center for Christian Virtue, highlighting his concerns about left-wing influence in schools.

In that clip, Vance voiced his discomfort with the idea that individuals without children, such as Weingarten, were shaping educational content. He argued that such people should not be involved in molding the minds of children. Vance’s exact words were, “Randi Weingarten, who heads the most powerful teachers’ union in the country, doesn’t have a single child. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone.”

Weingarten, in a recent appearance on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” labeled Vance’s remarks as “gross” and “insulting,” particularly to the millions of modern families and teachers. She expressed that these comments were peculiar when first made and even more so now as Vance has continued to defend them amidst political backlash.

Weingarten emphasized the importance of teachers and parents working together as the school year begins, creating safe and engaging environments for children. “We have 50 million kids in the United States, and they are our future,” she said, stressing that educational focus should be on nurturing and not on divisive rhetoric.

Senator Vance’s spokesperson, Taylor Van Kirk, responded to the criticism by clarifying that Vance’s concerns are not with individual teachers but with the broader issue of leftist indoctrination in schools. Van Kirk argued that schools should concentrate on fundamental education—reading, writing, and math—rather than pushing what he views as anti-American agendas.

Vance has faced considerable scrutiny for his controversial remarks on family planning and single adults, including his reference to “childless cat ladies,” which he later described as a sarcastic comment.

In response to these ongoing debates, Weingarten asserted that the focus should remain on fostering positive and collaborative educational environments for children. She challenged the divisive rhetoric and called for a return to the values of unity and optimism for America’s future.