After a bruising Senate confirmation process, Betsy DeVos is now Education Department chief. But she still has a lot of distrust to overcome, says CQ Roll Call’s education reporter Emily Wilkins. Even so, she’s poised to influence how Congress and America view one of the pillars of American life – public schools.

Show Notes:

•  Protesters block DeVos from entering public school 
• Senate Democrats Plan an All-Nighter Against DeVos
• Pence Casts Historic Tiebreaking Vote to Confirm DeVos 
• Disability Rights Advocates Concerned After DeVos’ Hearing –

DeVos Urges Unity at Education Department as Critics Persist ($) https://t.co/QZz9JlJcLH via @emrwilkins pic.twitter.com/jkRlJB2lpH

— CQ Now (@CQnow) February 8, 2017

“This confirmation process and the drama it has engendered has been a bit of a bear” – @BetsyDeVos gets a laugh @CQnow

— Emily Wilkins (@emrwilkins) February 8, 2017

Day 1 on the job is done, but we’re only getting started. Now where do I find the pencils? 🙂 pic.twitter.com/0vRKF1opE9

— Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVos) February 9, 2017