U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos tendered her resignation a day after a mob of President Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building.  DeVos is the second member of President Trump’s cabinet to resign. In addition to the two cabinet members’ resignations, several White House officials have also resigned.

In her resignation letter to Trump, DeVos shared her gratitude for “the opportunity to serve America and her students.” However, she stated the American people could not celebrate the “Administration’s many accomplishments” because she believed Trump’s words influenced the Capitol breech and violence that ensued. “There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me,” said DeVos. 

DeVos was a controversial pick for U.S. Secretary of Education. Her tenure in the role was plagued with criticism from some educators. In response to her resignation, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued a two-word statement, “Good Riddance.”

With less than two weeks until Biden’s presidential inauguration, what impact do these resignations really make? Are they only for show in hopes of obtaining other opportunities after Trump’s presidency ends? Why was the Capitol assault the tipping point? Only the people who have resigned can answer these questions.