AFT President criticizes Trump's federal aid pause as catastrophic

Federal Aid Pause Sparks Concern Among Advocates

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump's recent decision to halt all federal aid has drawn significant criticism from various quarters, particularly from AFT President Randi Weingarten.

Weingarten described the move as "catastrophic for America’s working families," questioning, "What is Donald Trump thinking?" amid ongoing crises.

The decision, announced while Trump was reportedly at his Miami golf resort, is expected to impact numerous sectors. Weingarten highlighted several pressing issues, including the severe tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas, the urgent need for fire relief in California, and continued hurricane relief efforts in Florida and North Carolina.

She emphasized the broad scope of those affected, including children with disabilities, families in need of housing, seniors dependent on Medicaid, low-income pregnant women, students with loans and grants, and children in the Head Start program. First responders such as police, fire, and healthcare workers also rely on federal funding, all of which are now jeopardized by the aid suspension.

Weingarten argued that although federal programs require efficiency improvements, halting services approved by Congress was not the intended solution. "Americans need a federal government that works for them, not against them," she stated.

Representing a broad spectrum of education, healthcare, and public service professionals, Weingarten assured that efforts would be made to prevent harm to Americans due to what she termed as "cruel, cavalier recklessness."

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) represents 1.8 million members, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education staff, government employees, nurses, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.

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