(WASHINGTON)— In response to an expected imminent White House executive order seeking to close the Department of Education, Hadar Harris, managing director of PEN America’s Washington office, issued the following comment:
“Closing the Department of Education is part of an effort to dismantle democracy that could reverberate for generations to come. Contrary to the claim that this White House is looking to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse, closing the Education Department reflects this administration’s unprecedented effort to exert ideological control over education, including dictating what can and can’t be taught, even which words can and can’t be used in every school. This illegal and deeply unpopular attempt to subvert Congress and the will of the American people via executive order instead of through legislation will surely be challenged in court, but the devastating impact on students, teachers, parents and American democracy will be immediate and long-lasting. Reform is one thing. Decimating the department is another. Students will be the losers if this plan goes forward.”
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057