Donald Trump is ramping up his pressure campaign on schools to force them to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. He is now threatening to cut funding to schools that do not resume in-person classes, in full this fall.
On Wednesday Trump tweeted: “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!”
It is worth noting that a majority of funding to American schools comes from the state and municipalities and not from the federal government. But, according to Pence, the White House is looking for ways to leverage the small amount of money they send to states for schools. They are looking at possibly giving states a “strong incentive” to get children back into the classroom in the next coronavirus relief package.
Trump followed up that tweet with another. This time, bashing the CDC guidelines for schools reopening, calling them “tough” and “expensive.”
“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!!!”
The CDC in response will change their guidelines for the reopening of schools. “As the president said today, we just don’t want the guidance to be too tough,” Pence told reporters according to CNBC. “That’s why the CDC will be issuing more guidance going forward because we know each school system has unique capabilities and different facilities.”
