From WNYC Studios. I'm Brian Lehrer. This is my daily politics podcast. It's Friday, September 26th.

Teachers are on the front lines of democracy. That's the argument made by Randy Weingarten,

president of the American Federation of Teachers,

former president of the local New York City chapter,

in her new book,

Why Fascists Fear Teachers, Public Education, and the Future of Democracy.

In it, she traces a long history of authoritarian leaders, Hitler, Mussolini, Putin,

and she cites right-wing activists here in the United States seeking to control or discredit

teachers. Why? Because she says education cultivates the habits of democracy, critical thinking,

pluralism, opportunity, and collective action. We'll talk with Randy

Weingarten about why she believes public schools are democracy's engine and what she thinks today's

attacks on teachers reveal about the political moment we're in and what she thinks anyone should do

about it. We'll also get into some issues in the news like why she recently quit the Democratic

National Committee. Randy Weingarten, welcome back to WNYC.

Oh, Brian, it is my honor. Every time I talk to you, I feel, you know, the connection to New York

City. So thank you for having me on. So, Andy, the book is on the bestseller list I see,

number 10 for nonfiction per the New York Times. Congratulations. Thank you. I have to ask if

you regret the title in light of calls to turn down the temperature after the assassination of

Charlie Kirk with the words, hey, fascist Couch, found on bullet casings.

Look, I very much regret and have stood up against political violence wherever it is from.

And I, and I, you know, when Mr. Kirk was assassinated, I was out there condemning it in the strongest

terms, asking my members all across the country to do whatever they can to de-escalate.

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