New York, December 10 (RHC)-- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped right-wing billionaire Betsy DeVos to serve as education secretary.  DeVos is the former chair of the Michigan Republican Party and a longtime backer of charter schools and vouchers for private and religious schools.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten criticized the pick.  She said, "In nominating DeVos, Trump makes it loud and clear that his education policy will focus on privatizing, defunding and destroying public education in America."

DeVos’s father-in-law is the co-founder of Amway and a longtime supporter of right-wing causes.  Her brother is Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary firm Blackwater.