Seven months ago, President Donald Trump’s resounding victory sent a clear message: America’s best days are ahead. Now, 150 days into his second term, the nation is on a strong path forward. He’s secured our borders, negotiated smarter trade deals, lowered living costs, eased tensions abroad, and restored respect for law and order. From soldiers to factory workers, from families to small business owners, Trump’s leadership is lifting people up. But there’s one group we don’t talk about enough: our students. They’re thriving in ways we haven’t seen in years, and it’s time we recognized why.
For decades, too many classrooms were under the thumb of teachers unions that cared more about politics than children. During the last administration, we saw young children exposed to inappropriate agendas, taught to question their country’s greatness, or judged by their appearance rather than their character. Some schools normalized biological boys who identify as female competing in girls’ sports, ignored rising antisemitism, or even encouraged life-altering decisions for children too young to fully understand them, sometimes without parents’ knowledge. This wasn’t education — it was a betrayal of trust.
Trump has put a stop to this. He’s ended the push of divisive ideologies in schools, and our children are better for it. He’s directed Secretary Linda McMahon to close the Education Department, returning control to states where it belongs. He’s dismantling harmful diversity programs that prioritize ideology over learning, and he’s curbing the influence of unions that too often override parents’ voices. In doing so, he’s given families the power to shape their children’s education.
But let’s be clear: Not every Republican has the spine to stand with Trump on this fight. Some so-called conservatives, weak-kneed sellouts, have caved to the Left’s pressure, compromising on our children’s futures to appease the loud minority. They’ve traded principle for popularity, letting radical agendas creep into schools while claiming to support reform. These turncoats, who wave the GOP flag but bow to woke demands, are part of the problem. They lack the courage to back Trump’s bold agenda fully, and their hesitation betrays the parents and students counting on them. Oklahoma stands firm, rejecting these half-hearted Republicans and fighting alongside the president to protect our classrooms.
Here in Oklahoma, where every county voted for Trump, we’re fully behind his vision. We’re transforming education with bold steps that align with his agenda. This fall, we’re rolling out history standards that celebrate America’s founding, its heroes, and the principles that made us exceptional. Every classroom will have a Bible, not to push religion but to teach its historical role in shaping our nation. We’re also ensuring students learn about the 2020 election, examining its irregularities with clear evidence so they can think critically about what happened — not just accept a sanitized narrative. Our goal is to raise independent thinkers, not followers of someone else’s script.
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We’re also working with Trump to address illegal immigration in our schools. We’re making sure we know who’s in our classrooms and how taxpayer dollars are spent. We’ve reduced the sway of teachers’ unions, putting parents firmly in charge. And we’ve eliminated divisive programs that pit students against each other based on race or identity.
This is about more than Oklahoma. It’s about every state. Parents, not bureaucrats or activists, should decide what’s best for their children. Trump’s leadership reflects what so many people feel: frustration with a system that pushed radical ideas on our children while dismissing our values. It’s time to return to the principles that built this nation. In Oklahoma, we’re proud to lead the way, ensuring our students grow up with pride in their country and confidence in their future.
Ryan Walters is the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction.