Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin faced a hostile liberal crowd at the Texas Tribune Festival, where he defended his education policies and clashed with a local journalist who accused him of "book banning."
Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin encountered a frosty reception at the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival, where he squared off with Texas Tribune co-founder Evan Smith over his education agenda. Smith repeatedly pressed Youngkin on his stance on book censorship in Virginia libraries, citing an Axios report that alleged "nearly 400 book titles were targeted for bans."
Youngkin denied the characterization of "book banning," arguing that parents have the right to make decisions about whether their children should read certain books. He cited the pre-existing law that allows libraries and school boards to assess book appropriateness for children.
Youngkin and Texas Journalist Clash Over Education Agenda, Faces Liberal Audience Backlash
"The idea of common sense being attributed to a family so they can make a decision about whether their child is reading a book that's consistent with their family values is something when we explain this, everybody says yes," Youngkin stated.
Smith pointed out that authors whose books have been removed from library shelves have accused Virginia of censorship.
Youngkin and Texas Journalist Clash Over Education Agenda, Faces Liberal Audience Backlash
"Virginia is not censoring," Youngkin responded. "What school boards, local school boards are doing is exercising their legal and responsible right to assess whether books are appropriate in the schools and whether they are age appropriate."
Smith expressed concern about potential over-correction, citing the example of Toni Morrison's "Beloved."
Youngkin and Texas Journalist Clash Over Education Agenda, Faces Liberal Audience Backlash
"What grade did you read it in?" Youngkin countered. "Is it appropriate for a first-grader or second-grader?"
That exchange drew boos from the liberal crowd.
Youngkin and Texas Journalist Clash Over Education Agenda, Faces Liberal Audience Backlash
The discussion also touched on the teaching of history. Smith invoked Maryland Governor Wes Moore's comments at the Democratic convention that "Loving your country doesn't mean lying about its history."
"I have consistently and clearly said we must teach all of our history, the good and the bad, all of it," Youngkin emphasized. "We shouldn't blame people today for what's happened historically. We just want everybody to understand it."
He described Virginia's history curriculum as the best in the country, claiming it adequately addresses slavery, reconstruction, civil rights, and the Holocaust.
Youngkin's defense of his education policies received mixed reactions from the audience. While attendees applauded his efforts to raise teacher salaries, they reacted negatively when he noted that Democratic state lawmakers had blocked a school voucher program.
The Texas Tribune Festival serves as a platform for discussions on politics and policy, often featuring prominent figures from both sides of the political spectrum. The annual event draws a diverse audience, including political leaders, journalists, and members of the public.
