Trump’s Executive Order to Eliminate the U.S. Department of Education Is a Direct Attack on Wisconsin Schools—And Lobbyist Brittany Kinser Still Won’t Stand Up For Wisconsin
MADISON – This afternoon, Donald Trump will sign an executive order to begin shutting down the U.S. Department of Education, a reckless move that threatens over $1 billion in federal funding for Wisconsin schools and puts critical programs—including special education, school meals, and teacher training—at immediate risk.
When Kinser was directly asked about this in Wednesday’s debate, she dodged the question again. Instead of standing up for Wisconsin’s students, she parroted empty talking points about money “coming back to the state,” ignoring the fact that federal education cuts are already hitting Wisconsin schools.
- Trump’s administration has already cut funding for teacher training and retention programs. Governor Evers is literally suing the Trump administration over it, yet Kinser refuses to acknowledge it.
- Wisconsin schools have already lost federal funding for school meal programs and local farm-to-school partnerships, hurting both our students and our farmers. Kinser has said nothing.
- The Department has already gutted the staff and division that oversee federal NAEP testing, yet Kinser still is pushing to tie Wisconsin schools to that failing program.
- Trump is slashing federal education funding across the board—but Kinser wants us to believe Wisconsin’s schools won’t be affected? That’s either dangerously naive or an outright lie.
There is a reason lobbyist Brittany Kinser refuses to criticize Trump’s destruction of public education. There is a reason she keeps saying “it’s fine.”
The very people cheering on these cuts are the ones funding her campaign.
- Her campaign is backed by the same right-wing megadonors pushing for the elimination of public education.
- She is funded by Republican billionaire Dick Uihlein, one of the biggest investors in far-right causes in the country.
- Her campaign is run by Republican insiders who have spent years trying to defund public schools.
The Trump administration is moving full speed ahead to dismantle public education, and Wisconsin is already feeling the consequences.
If Kinser won’t stand up to Trump now, when more than $1 billion in Wisconsin education funding is on the line, when will she?
While Brittany Kinser stays silent and refuses to fight back, State Superintendent Jill Underly is standing up for Wisconsin’s students, teachers, and schools.
- Underly has led the fight to fully fund Wisconsin’s public schools, pushing for the largest investment in public education in state history.
- She has strengthened career and technical education, ensuring that every student—whether they go to college or enter the workforce—has the skills they need to succeed.
- She has fought for mental health resources, knowing that students need support inside and outside the classroom.
The choice in this election is clear. Wisconsin needs a leader who will fight for our public schools—not a lobbyist who will sell them out.
Jill Underly will always stand up for Wisconsin’s kids, teachers, and communities.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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