White House spokesperson John Earnest on Friday brushed off remarks from Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) that the administration’s guidance to schools on how to accommodate transgender students amounts to “blackmail.”
“Well I think this does underscore the risk of electing a right-wing radio host to a elected statewide office,” Earnest said during a press briefing when asked to respond to Patrick’s concern about the letter.
Earnest emphasized that the letter sent to schools on Friday simply offers guidelines and suggestions to schools looking to comply with federal law and accommodate the needs of transgender students.
“This is not an enforcement action. This does not add any additional requirements to any school district or state under the applicable law,” he told reporters. “This is in response to extensive requests for guidance and for information and advice that have been put forward by school administrators and teachers and in some cases, even parents, who are seeking practical solutions to this challenge.”
When asked if federal funding was at risk for schools who do not comply with the guidance, Earnest said he believes most schools will not take issue with the guidelines. And for those that do, Earnest said “there’s an established process for them to raise any concerns that they might have.”
