A Beverly Hills teacher claims she was fired for posting Anti-Trump comments On social media, expressing outrage at the behavior of pro-Trump students on campus, the Independent reported. Johnny Garrettwho spent nearly 30 years teaching at Beverly Hills High School and returned as a long-term alternative to AP US History, charged that her dismissal was politically motivated and an attack on free speech.
“I’m ashamed to be an American,” Garrett wrote in one of her Facebook posts, criticizing a pro-Trump rally held at the school after the 2020 election. She accused students of harassing non-MAGA colleagues and targeting a classroom where the Black Student Union was meeting, claiming racial slurs were used and some students were left in tears. In the same post, she blamed “Your Majesty, King Trump,” referring to the then-president’s influence on student conduct.
On Nov. 13, days after the rally and subsequent backlash, Garrett said she received a call from the district administrator informing her of her termination, without further explanation. According to Garrett’s attorney, her comments were made off school grounds, on a private social media account, and are protected by the First Amendment and California labor laws.
Superintendent Michael Bregi denied any formal dismissal, saying Garrett had retired years ago and was serving as a substitute. “No action was taken to fire her or any other employee in the last month,” he said. He also reaffirmed the district’s commitment to ensuring respectful communication and a safe educational environment.
At the rally in question, dozens of pro-Trump students were seen waving flags, chanting slogans and threatening classmates. Footage shared online shows a group of students stopping by a Black Student Union classroom, knocking on the door and trying to gain entry. Some students and staff later alleged that this was part of a wider pattern of harassment targeting minority groups.
The incident has sparked a wide-ranging debate over free speech, workplace safety and the responsibilities of teachers in a politically charged time. Garrett says she has never discussed the election in class but has encountered support from colleagues and students.
“Teachers feel confused,” she said, describing a culture of fear among teachers. “I wear this as a badge of honor.”
