‘Red flag’: Education activist rails against ‘dangerous’ Trump nominee for key education post
President Trump is facing significant pushback from conservatives on social media and education activist Laurie Cardoza Moore over his nomination of Dr. Penny Schwinn for deputy secretary at the Department of Education. Moore, a member of the Tennessee Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission and founder of Proclaiming Justice To the Nations, expressed shock and concern over Schwinn’s nomination, citing her radical views and policies that are not in line with Trump’s agenda.
Trump announced Schwinn’s nomination in a recent Truth Social post, praising her commitment to returning education back to the states and delivering the American Dream to the next generation. However, Moore raised red flags about Schwinn’s record, particularly during her tenure as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education. Moore highlighted instances where Tennessee children were exposed to pornographic and anti-Semitic content in library books, as well as Schwinn’s support of programs like Wit and Wisdom, which critics argue are a guise for Critical Race Theory.
Furthermore, Moore voiced concerns about Schwinn’s association with a math expert who promoted “math equity” in California and Schwinn’s controversial plan to conduct child welfare checks on Tennessee children for vaccination compliance. Schwinn faced scrutiny from Tennessee lawmakers in 2020 over her handling of textbooks and contracts but defended her actions as education commissioner. She was later fired from her position in 2024 after racking up high travel costs to work from home.
While some conservatives on social media echoed Moore’s concerns about Schwinn’s nomination, others came to her defense. Journalist Chris Rufo praised Trump’s selection of Schwinn and called for support to ensure her success in the role. GOP Sen. Tim Scott and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders also lauded Schwinn’s appointment, emphasizing the importance of parental empowerment and education freedom through initiatives like school choice.
Despite differing opinions within conservative circles, Moore urged President Trump to reconsider Schwinn’s nomination, warning that her Berkeley-educated and left-leaning policies could ultimately undermine Trump’s education agenda. Moore emphasized that Schwinn’s appointment poses a red flag that could lead to the implementation of divisive and dangerous policies on a national scale.
In conclusion, the debate over Dr. Penny Schwinn’s nomination for deputy secretary at the Department of Education reflects the broader tensions within the conservative movement over education policy and ideology. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how President Trump will navigate the pushback from conservatives and education activists like Laurie Cardoza Moore.
