By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During a broadcast on Real America’s Voice, Steve Bannon labeled a third of America’s teachers as “terrorists.” This statement was made while discussing the late Charlie Kirk’s conservative ideals, which Bannon claimed young people are drawn to despite the “radical” influences they face. Bannon’s comments reflect a broader MAGA rhetoric of viewing the left as a terrorist threat, mirroring statements made by other prominent figures. Following Kirk’s assassination, Bannon declared that “we are at war in this country.”
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The assertion that Steve Bannon declared “teachers are terrorists” in an unhinged tribute is, well, alarming, but unfortunately, not surprising. This comment reflects a disturbing trend of demonizing educators and intellectuals, a pattern seen in historical authoritarian regimes. It’s a sentiment that echoes the fascist playbook, aiming to undermine the very foundation of critical thinking and objective reality. Why target teachers? Because they represent a challenge to a narrative built on misinformation and control. They encourage young people to think critically, to question authority, and to seek out the truth – all things that those who thrive on manipulation would rather avoid.
The underlying fear is that teachers foster a shared understanding of facts. This shared reality is the enemy of a movement that depends on the non-existence of a consensus with regard to basic facts. Bannon and others on the far right seem to understand this implicitly. They’re not just criticizing teachers; they’re actively trying to discredit them, to paint them as enemies of the state. It’s an effort to create an “us versus them” mentality, where anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their ideology is automatically suspect.
This strategy isn’t new. History is filled with examples of regimes that targeted intellectuals and educators, seeking to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices. They seek to control education, to ensure that future generations are loyal to the regime and its values. By reshaping curricula, they aim to eliminate critical thinking and promote a narrative that supports their authoritarian rule. This desire for control over the minds of the young is a hallmark of such movements.
The push to undermine higher education, to question the value of experts and academia, is also part of this strategy. It’s a dangerous game, as anti-intellectualism is a key tool in the hands of those who wish to dismantle democratic institutions. It’s a way to dismiss the legitimacy of educated persons, experts, scientists, and the media, as a way to assert the primacy of their beliefs. When the administration identifies universities and public schools as places where “radical left” ideas and incompatible viewpoints are taught, it gives them the justification to use undemocratic policies and executive orders that give the government control over academic decision-making.
The implications of this rhetoric are profound. It creates an environment of fear and intimidation for teachers, making it harder for them to do their jobs effectively. It also discourages critical thinking and open debate, essential components of a healthy democracy. It can lead to the suppression of free speech and the whitewashing of history. The goal for such regimes is to shape the ideologies of followers and future generations, suppressing antithetical ideas while promoting nationalistic and nativist attitudes.
The irony, of course, is that those leveling these accusations often benefit from the very institutions they’re attacking. People using government (military/college) to boost themselves into wild financial success, and then claiming the government is evil is the epitome of hypocrisy. It’s a classic case of ladder pullers, those who climb to the top and then kick the ladder away, preventing others from following.
Ultimately, the attack on teachers and the embrace of anti-intellectualism are about power. They are about controlling the narrative, suppressing dissent, and ensuring that those in power remain in power. When we see such rhetoric, we must recognize it for what it is: a dangerous threat to our democratic values and to the future of our society.