Anti-Trump rant by Southern California schoolteacher prompts his suspension

A history teacher at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley has been placed on administrative leave after going on a profanity-laced anti-Trump rant after the election that has since gone viral on social media.  

The teacher’s punishment has sparked something of a controversy with students walking out of class in protest of his suspension.  

“A racist, draft-dodging coward, treasonous scum. Why would he win? Why did he win?” the teacher is heard saying in the recording. "But has Donald Trump quoted Hitler? Yes. Does he embody some of Hitler’s ideas? Yes.”  

The recording, after it was shared to social media, has racked up millions of listens.  

“Let me tell you, I know of Latino men on this campus and students that love Donald Trump,” the teacher continued. “He called their mothers rapists, he called their fathers rapists. He called them criminals. He called them poison in the blood of our country.”  

A sophomore at the school, Jude Vaskas, normally has the teacher for his second period class.  

“He could have worded it in a different way,” Vaskas told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “He could’ve made it family friendly, no swear words to get his point across.”  

Despite that criticism, Vaskas and many other students who support the teacher walked out of school in protest over his suspension and are calling on the Moreno Valley School District to bring the AP World History teacher back.  

A senior at the school, Milo Topete told KTLA that there are teachers at the school on the other side of the spectrum.  

“We have a lot of teachers here who say racist stuff and openly support Trump,” she explained. “Nothing happens to them.”  

Many of the students protesting believe that this particular teacher is being singled out and punished unfairly.  

A similar situation unfolded at Chino Valley High School where a teacher was recorded saying that people voted for a racist before disciplining a student wearing a Trump hat.  

“Turn it off and go back to your friggin’ seat now. Go, take that -,” that teacher is heard saying. “Can you send security up to room B205. I have a boy who has a Trump hat on and I’m not going to tolerate it. I don’t care if you have a Harris hat or a Trump hat, you’re out of here.”  

Officials at Chino Valley Unified School District released a statement to KTLA that reads in part: 

“The District was made aware of the audio recording of the Chino High School teacher and his conduct with students following the election late last week. While the District cannot provide details regarding the teacher, students involved, or any potential disciplinary action, the matter is being thoroughly investigated.” 

Over in Moreno Valley, school district officials also released a statement to KTLA that read in part: 

“We were recently made aware of an incident at one of our high schools in which a staff member’s discussion about the election results turned unprofessional. We do not condone the behavior that occurred, and an immediate investigation has been launched. 

We recognize the heightened emotions surrounding the current political climate, and we deeply value the diversity of our community, which encompasses a wide range of perspectives and beliefs. Our goal is to foster a respectful and inclusive learning environment that supports all students.”