Teacher Fired Over Anti-Trump Comments After MAGA Rally Disrupts School, She Claims

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A Beverly Hills High School teacher says she was fired after she raised concerns about a rowdy pro-Donald Trump rally staged by students, where Black students reported being harassed.

Joanie Garratt, who has over 30 years of experience in the Beverly Hills Unified School District, claims she was fired over a Facebook post she wrote in response to the Nov. 5 election of Trump and a rally the following day held on campus by students celebrating Trump's victory. But school officials say Garratt wasn't fired.

The controversial rally made headlines, prompted school officials to clamp down on students' ability to congregate and led Black students to sound off about harassment, intimidation and racial slurs they were subjected to by the MAGA celebrants, the Beverly Hills Courier reported.

Garratt, who retired from full time teaching, posted on Facebook Nov. 7 to announce she was "back at BHHS on a long term assignment teaching AP U.S. History again."

While she was enjoying the job, she was "disheartened" by the pro-Trump rally, she wrote.

"A MAGA faction dressed in full Trump regalia (banners draped around them, flying banners, red hats) not only had a MAGA rally on campus but harassed & intimidated many other non-MAGA students and specifically targeted the class where the Black Student Union was meeting, yelling all kinds of racial slurs," Garratt's post continues.

"Some students arrived at school truly upset & even crying only to be bullied later by their classmates. And don’t blame the administration for this. They are dealing with it. This comes from their leader, His Majesty, King Trump."

Garratt's attorney said she was terminated on Nov. 13. The attorney said Assistant Superintendent Matthew Horvath informed Garratt on a phone call of her dismissal and said it was due to the Facebook post.

"This decision contradicts BHUSD's policy that personal beliefs or activities outside of work should not be grounds for disciplinary action unless they violate the law or policy," the attorney, V. James DeSimone said in a statement. "This post was entirely within Joanie's right of free speech and violated neither the law nor district policy. We intend to fully vindicate Ms. Garratt's rights and filing this administrative claim is the first step in that legal journey for justice."

BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy in a statement denied that Garratt was terminated.

"Ms. Garratt retired from full-time teaching in BHUSD years ago and was serving and remains a substitute teacher in the district," he said. "No action was taken to dismiss her or any other employee in the last month."

His statement continued: "Our focus remains on fostering an educational environment where students and staff are respected and valued. We encourage meaningful discussions that prioritize mutual understanding, respect, and accountability. BHUSD will continue to uphold its standards and policies to ensure that our schools are spaces where all voices can be expressed thoughtfully and responsibly."

Garratt filed an administrative claim agains the district, in which she said she suffers loss of sleep, emotional distress and other injuries as a result of her dismissal. She's seeking at least $50,000 and potentially her job back, according to the claim.

City News Service contributed to this report.