AFT criticizes Trump's 2026 budget proposal for education and healthcare cuts

AFT President Randi Weingarten has expressed disapproval following President Donald Trump's announcement of the fiscal 2026 budget proposal. In her statement, Weingarten criticized the proposed budget cuts, particularly in public education and healthcare sectors.

"President Trump’s skinny budget cuts much of what helps poor, working-class and middle-class Americans, seemingly to pay for tax cuts for the rich. You can’t make this up," Weingarten remarked. She emphasized that the cuts show a lack of concern for the future well-being of Americans, particularly through reductions in education funding and medical research.

Weingarten argued that the President’s proposal could have detrimental effects on the education system, noting, "He would gut K-12 programs by $5.4 billion. Support for student aid would be slashed." She also expressed concern over proposed reductions in healthcare and labor funding, stating, "Healthcare programs would be cut by more than a quarter and labor by more than one-third."

The AFT President further criticized the possibility of using Title I money to create a "slush fund for state bureaucrats," and highlighted that the budget plan may disproportionately impact regions that supported Trump in the elections.

In closing, Weingarten called on Congress to oppose the budget, stating, "We won’t stop fighting for America’s children, and we hope members of Congress will join us in opposing this proposal, which is a blatant attack on all of us."

The American Federation of Teachers, represented by Randi Weingarten as President, Fedrick C. Ingram as Secretary-Treasurer, and Evelyn DeJesus as Executive Vice President, stands unified in opposing the proposed budget cuts.