Betsy DeVos admits she knew her policies would harm transgender kids

US President Donald Trump’s Education Secretary Betsy Devos has admitted she was “aware” her decision to roll back anti-discrimination protections for trans children could cause harm.

DeVos was pressed during a session of the House Education Committee on Wednesday (April 11) over her 2017 decision to revoke Obama-era guidance that extended discrimination protections to transgender people in education.

Betsy DeVos ‘aware’ of harmful impact of decision to scrap trans protections

The Trump official was pressed over the decision by Democrat Suzanne Bonamici, who asked if she was aware that revoking the protections can lead to poor academic performance and depression for transgender students.

DeVos initially attempted to sidestep the question, responding: ““[The U.S. Office for Civil Rights] is committed to ensuring all students have equal access to education free from discrimination…“

However, Bonamici pressed: “Sorry, I would really like [an] answer… students and families need to know this.”

“Did you know, when you rolled back the guidance, that the stress of harassment and discrimination can lead to lower attendance and grades as well as depression for transgender students?

“Did you know that when you rolled back the guidance?”

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici: “Did you know when you rolled back the guidance that the stress of harassment and discrimination can lead to lower attendance and grades as well as depression for transgender students?”
…
Betsy DeVos: “I do know that.”
Via CSPANpic.twitter.com/h8Oa2zN4ms

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 10, 2019

DeVos admitted: “I do know that. But I will say again that OCR is committed to ensuring all students have access to their education free from discrimination.”