As Betsy DeVos is preparing to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled senate for her role as Secretary of Education, Donald Trump is planning to add even more Christian extremists into the White House. Jerry Falwell Jr. has accepted a top position in helping to mold the public education system into the future.
Falwell to the White House
One way that Donald Trump was able to make it out of the Republican primary was to be able to cater to enough members of the religious right and gain their support. While Trump's personal history conflicts with the teachings of many so-called Christians, his campaign promises and policy proposals were enough to push him over the edge as the winner.
One endorsement that held weight on the far right was from Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., the son of the late Christian extremist pastor and founder of the school, Jerry Falwell. While the younger Falwell turned down an offer to become the new Secretary of Education, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported on January 31 that he will still have a role in the White House.
During an interview with The Chronicle on Tuesday, Jerry Falwell Jr. confirmed that he had been asked by Donald Trump to lead a new "task force" that will help "identify changes that should be made to the U.S. Department of Education’s policies." The President of Liberty University noted that one of his goals will be to push back at "overreaching regulation." "The goal is to pare it back and give colleges and their accrediting agencies more leeway in governing their affairs," he said.
In regards to how it will relate to Betsy DeVos and her job as Education secretary, he thinks it will be a positive. "The task force will be a big help to her," he said, while adding, "It will do some of the work for her."
Christian controversy
Like his father, Jerry Falwell Jr. is praised by conservative Christians, but seen as a major problem for secular Americans, and those who support the separation of church and state.
Like Betsy DeVos, the Liberty University president is a strong supporter of private religious schools, as well as a believer in Creationism, or the literal interpretation of the Bible. While it's unknown what type of impact their religious beliefs will have on public education, critics are not pleased.
