Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich Friday slammed as "left-wing fascists" protesters Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' first visit to a public school since her contentious confirmation process ended this week.
Gingrich, 73, the former Georgia congressman who was speaker from 1995 to 1999, posted his attack on Twitter:
DeVos, 59, who was sworn in on Tuesday, was heckled by protesters at Jefferson Middle School Academy in Southwest Washington Friday morning and had to sneak in through a back door, according to news reports.
Parents and retired teachers stood outside chanted and waved signs reading: "Welcome to our public school. It's open to everyone!" and "Ms. Devos: Our children are not props."
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham also weighed in on the protest:
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, condemned the demonstrators:
DeVos said in a statement after her visit that "I respect peaceful protest, and I will not be deterred in executing the vital mission of the Department of Education.
"No school door in America will be blocked from those seeking to help our nation's school children.
"Jefferson Academy is a public middle school on the rise and a great example of the successful collaborative innovations occurring within the D.C. Public Schools system.
"Focusing on their students and families is at the heart of Jefferson Academy's approach, and that's exactly what I believe is at the heart of providing an exceptional education," DeVos said. "Great teachers and leaders help make great schools, and I was honored to speak with Jefferson's team about our shared commitment to strengthening public education."
DeVos was confirmed Tuesday after Vice President Mike Pence cast a rare tie-breaking vote in the Senate.
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