Hillary Clinton took to the stage at the National Education Association conference in Washington, D.C., just as FBI Director James Comey took to the podium to discuss the former Secretary of State’s private email server.
Although Clinton was scheduled to take to the stage at 10:45, she didn’t begin speaking until 11:00 a.m., which was when Comey delivered the FBI’s decision that they would not recommend criminal charges against Clinton. She went on to speak for over 40 minutes about the importance of public education, without any knowledge or updates about the FBI’s decision.
“I want to say right from the outset that I’m with you,” Clinton told the teachers union. “I can’t be too presumptuous, but If I’m fortunate enough be elected president, educators will always have a partner in the White House and a seat at the table.”
“We are going to win together in November,” Clinton added.
The presumptive Democratic nominee also took the opportunity to hit Donald Trump for his divisive language and the impact it has on children in schools. She reported that teachers tell her “bullying and harassment” are on the rise in schools, and that teachers are now calling this “the Trump effect.”
“You would not tolerate that kind of behavior your classrooms,” he said to the crowd of over 7,500 educators. “Let’s not tolerate it from someone who wants to be President of the United States.”
On the campaign trial, Clinton has pledged to create a program for universal pre-education, a program to reduce to costs of higher education and to improve public schools. In contrast, Trump has said that he would consider cutting the Department of Education.
“If you want to know how Donald Trump approaches education look at his so called Trump University. Hard to believe but he took advantage of vulnerable Americans,” Clinton said.
“No wonder Donald Trump is being sued for fraud,” she added. “Just like Donald Trump shouldn’t have his hands on the economy he shouldn’t have anything to do with education or our public schools.”
