After Trump Threatens To Withdraw Funding From Public Schools Enforcing Vaccine Mandates, Critics Call It ‘Dystopian’

Former President Donald Trump sparked controversy following a declaration to withdraw federal funding from public schools enforcing vaccine mandates during a rally in Richmond, Virginia.

Political and medical officials were quick to respond to the former president’s statement.

“Trump said in Richmond, that he will take all federal funds away from public schools that require vaccines,” former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Virginia) wrote on X. “Like most states, Virginia requires the MMR vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, polio, etc. So Trump would take millions in federal funds away from all Virginia public schools.”

Trump said in Richmond, that he will take all federal funds away from public schools that require vaccines. Like most states, Virginia requires MMR vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, polio, etc. So Trump would take millions in federal funds away from all Virginia public schools.

— Barbara Comstock (@BarbaraComstock) March 3, 2024

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan described the assertion as “dystopian.”

Opponents of the idea have argued that stripping federal funds from schools adhering to vaccine mandates could not only compromise the quality of education but also endanger the health of thousands of students.

Critics worry that should Trump be elected for a second term and implement this policy, it will set a dangerous precedent of prioritizing political agendas over public health and education.

Vaccine-skeptic politicians, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), have appointed medical officials who have deprioritized vaccinations. Florida has recently seen a spike in measles cases that have been squarely blamed on the DeSantis administration.