Newly sworn-in US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was forced to abandon a visit to a school in D.C. after she was physically blocked by protesters.
Mrs DeVos, who took office this week, remains a polarising figure for many of the parents and teachers she seeks to serve.
DeVos was at the Jefferson Middle School Academy in Southwest Washington at about 10.00am., according to the Washington Post. The event was closed to the media. It was her first visit to a public K-12 school since she was sworn in Tuesday.
WATCH: Sec. Betsy DeVos physically blocked by protesters from entering DC school--turned away and left.
Video: @SweeneyABC pic.twitter.com/RAycuKEVgm— ABC 7 News - WJLA (@ABC7News) February 10, 2017
@ABC7News @SweeneyABC this is @BetsyDeVos right now pic.twitter.com/983BwPhouJ
— hl ð“…“ (@hillarylowe) February 10, 2017
One protester shouted: "She does not represent anything that they stand for."
Another said: "She’s giving money to senators and buying her way into the position. You should be so proud of yourself. Go back! Shame! Shame! Shame!"
Mrs DeVos - a billionaire who has spent three decades lobbying for private school vouchers, charter schools and other alternatives to traditional public schools - was one of President Trump’s most controversial Cabinet picks and barely won confirmation.
She made a plea for unity on Wednesday, her first full day in office, saying in a speech to Education Department employees that "while we may have disagreements, we can - and must - come together, find common ground and put the needs of our students first."
