American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingartens exit from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) after 23 years exposes a little-known truth: teachers unions are practically an appendage of the Democratic Party. Her departure, paired with National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringles ongoing role as an at-large DNC member, reveals a relationship thats less about education advocacy and more about political symbiosis.For over two decades, Weingarten wielded influence as an at-large member at the DNC, stepping aside only recently on June 5, 2025. In her resignation letter to the new party chairman, she said "I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging."She endorsed David Hoggs efforts to primary Democrats who werent sufficiently progressive, signaling a desire to make the party even more radical.But her exit might not have been her choice. The new chairKen Martinopposed Hoggs idea to pull the party further to the left with primaries. Weingartens relentless push to keep schools closed during COVID-19, despite mounting evidence of learning loss, made her a liability even Democrats couldnt ignore. Last weekend, she called for a "nationwide day of defiance" amid the "No Kings" proteststoo incendiary for a party grappling with its own fractures.RANDI WEINGARTEN, LEE SAUNDERS QUIT DNC IN LATEST BLOW TO DEM PARTY LEADERSHIPWhen Martin became DNC chair earlier this year, he removed Randi Weingarten from the Rules and Bylaws Committee that she had served on for 16 years, since 2009.Yet the union-party nexus persists. Becky Pringle remains a DNC fixture, linking the NEA to Democratic Party machinery. The money tells the story: Weingartens American Federation of Teachers (AFT) funnels about 99% of its campaign contributions to Democrats every cycle. Union dues, often extracted from taxpayer-funded teacher salaries, flow into Democratic coffersa financial pipeline thats borderline money laundering.It appears to be a form of quid pro quo: unions bankroll the party, and the party protects union power. Children and teachers are just pawns.CRITICS SLAM RANDI WEINGARTENS BIZARRE NO KINGS MELTDOWN, ACTIVISM IN WAKE OF ABRUPT DNC DEPARTUREThe unions loyalty runs deeper than cash. Their prioritiesabortion rights, climate activism, identity politicsmirror Democratic talking points, sidelining teacher pay or classroom needs. They mobilize Democratic voters through get-out-the-vote campaigns and endorse Democrats in non-education races, from governors to congressmen. Union offices double as training grounds for Democratic activists, using dues-funded resources to coach partisan operatives, turning labor hubs into party outposts.This partisanship screams for school choice and homeschooling. Parents shouldnt be forced to send kids to schools run by left-wing activists like Weingarten and Pringle, who prioritize politics over learning. Schools should be for education, not indoctrination. School choice lets families pick schoolsor homeschoolingthat focus on academics, not activism. Giving families the freedom to choose alternatives should also incentivize public school teachers unions to get their act together and tone it down politically.'DISTRACTION': THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS READY TO LEAVE THEIR DAVID HOGG DRAMA IN THE DUSTEven Franklin D. Roosevelt, a champion of labor, warned against public sector unions, noting their potential to distort democracy. Teachers' unions prove him right: they essentially use taxpayer dollars to lobby against taxpayers interests, pushing policies that prioritize political agendas over childrens needs. Unlike private sector unions, they face no market-based accountability, so they squander dues on partisan causes without consequence. Their political clout ensures they sit across the bargaining table from allies they helped elect, rigging negotiations in their favor. This relationship isnt representationits a racket, undermining the public they claim to serve.The medias complicity is glaring. Weingartens 23-year DNC tenure barely registered until she left. Not a peep about Becky Pringles connection to the Democrats, either. The New York Times mentioned Weingartens DNC post only once she departeda textbook case of selective reporting. The press, quick to dissect conservative ties, gave these union bosses a pass.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThe COVID-19 debacle is Exhibit A. As DNC members, Weingarten and Pringle pressured the CDC to prolong school closures, defying evidence from safely reopened private schools and international systems. The CDC caved, prioritizing union demands over kids. This was bad policy and an undisclosed conflict of interest.One fix is clear: ban public sector union leaders from holding leadership roles in political parties their unions fund. Its a legal barrier to curb corruption.Another fix is already in place: the 2018Janus v. AFSCMESupreme Court decision, which ruled teachers cant be forced to pay union duesa blow to unions reliant on mandatory dues to fuel their political machine. Forcing teachers to fund partisan causes violates their First Amendment rights. All teachers, especially conservatives, should opt out of these far-left unions now, using alternatives like the Association of American Educators (AAE) for liability insurance.Weingartens exit exposes cracks, but Pringles presence proves the machine hums.Teachers' unions arent just aligned with Democratstheyre an extension. TheJanusdecision and school choice give teachers and parents the tools to break free.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM COREY DeANGELIS