After Donald Trump pulled off the upset and defeated Hillary Clinton on Election Day, all eyes then shifted to who he would surround himself with in the White House. After it was announced that Republican donor Betsy DeVos would be nominated as the new Secretary of Education, backlash quickly followed.

DeVos derailed

Just over two weeks after winning the election, Donald Trump tapped Betsy DeVos as his new Education Secretary. DeVos has a long history of being a mega donor to the Republican party, who has been vocal in her support for private and charter schools, with an apparent grudge against the public school system.

In Michigan, she was a leading voice for the state to shift to a charter school system. In addition, DeVos is known as a strict Christian fundamentalist, with beliefs in the radical Creationism religious theory. While it appeared she would still be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, Politico reports on February 1 that it might not be so easy to get through.

On Wednesday morning, two top Republicans in the Senate announced that they would not be voting to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary. Republicans Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, both went public with their opposition, and elaborated further. "This is not a decision I make lightly," Collins said, before adding, "I have a great deal of respect for Mrs.

DeVos." However, Collins announced, "I will not, can not vote to confirm her."

Both Murkowski and Collins oppose DeVos' staunch support for voucher programs, which would be a devastating blow to the public school system by shifting taxpayer money to a more private setup.

Another blow to Betsy DeVos is Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who is also opposed to the former GOP donor, despite supporting other Donald Trump cabinet nominees.

Rocky road

Since the start of her hearing, Betsy DeVos has constantly run into trouble. From trying to argue the need for guns in school by citing potential grizzly bear attacks, to allegedly plagiarizing her confirmation hearing answers, DeVos still has a good chance to be confirmed, though it's becoming more difficult by the day. As of press time, Donald Trump has not yet commented on the Republican backlash in the Senate.
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