Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was blocked by protesters as she tried to visit a middle school in Southwest Washington Friday morning and had to sneak in through a back door, according to news reports.
Parents and retired teachers stood outside Jefferson Middle School Academy chanted and waved signs reading: "Welcome to our public school. It's open to everyone!" and "Ms. Devos: Our children are not props," NBC Washington reports.
It was the charter-school advocate's first visit to a secondary school since her confirmation on Tuesday when a 50-50 Senate tie was broken by Vice President Mike Pence.
One protester was arrested for blocking a driveway and refusing to move, according to police.
ABC 7 said the gathering was organized by the Washington teacher's union which did not support DeVos' nomination and said they wanted her to know they support free public schools and equal education opportunities for all.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.