Politico Morning Report tells the sad story of Betsy DeVos’ abandonment of transgender students. This administration prefers that these students suffer discrimination and humiliation and bullying.

Let it be noted that the DeVos family is notable for homophobia. Betsy’s family were founders and major funders of the anti-gay Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. Her mother and brother are still board members. Her mother was the single biggest contributor to the fight to block gay marriage by referendum in California. When Betsy was asked during her Senate hearings about the virulently anti-gay activism of her mother’s foundation, she claimed to know nothing about it. When someone pointed out that she was a member of the board, she said it was a clerical error. A clerical error for 17 years. I.e., she was prevaricating. Lying to Congress is a crime.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the rotten tree.

Politico reports:

TRANSGENDER STUDENTS GET NO SATISFACTION FROM DEVOS’ EDUCATION DEPARTMENT: Alex Howe spent his junior and senior year barred from using the boy’s bathroom at his Texas high school because he was transgender. When the debate team traveled for competitions, he was forced to room alone. He felt isolated, alienated and depressed. “I was counting down the days until I graduated,” Howe told POLITICO, the first time he has spoken publicly about his experience.

— Howe appealed to DeVos for help just after graduating high school last year, hoping to ease the way for other transgender students. But his complaint was thrown out by the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights six months later. That’s because the Trump administration is no longer investigating complaints filed by transgender students over bathroom access.

— Howe’s complaint is one of at least five involving transgender students denied bathroom access that were also shelved. Another transgender student interviewed by POLITICO and also speaking publicly for the first time said his bathroom-related complaint hasn’t been dismissed, but has been stalled for three years. He hasn’t been told why.

— Both Howe and the second student, who wants to be identified only by his first name, Drake, described the human cost of DeVos’ decision to turn down and hold off on their appeals for help. While high school isn’t easy for many kids who don’t fit in, it can be so much worse for transgender kids. Caitlin Emma has the story.

— The Education Department released a statement saying it is “committed to defending the civil rights of all students and ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to learn in an environment free from harassment and discrimination.” But officials declined to comment on any specific complaints.