BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday, August 17, former substitute history teacher, Joanie Garrett, of the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) filed a lawsuit against the district for what she perceives as her wrongful termination over anti-Trump rhetoric posted on her Facebook page in November of 2024, prior to being terminated.
Canyon News on December 6, 2024, that students at Beverly Hills High School were participating in the election process dressed patriotically, or in Make America Great Again gear, or carrying an American flag. Garrett was reportedly offended and publicized it on her Facebook page.
“Some students arrived at school truly upset and even crying only to be bullied later by their classmates. And don’t blame the administration for this. They are dealing with it. This comes from their leader, His Majesty, King Trump,” said Garrett.
According to Garrett, the Assistant Superintendent, Matthew Horvath indicated that the school no longer needed her in the classroom. She now insists she was fired due to a post on social media.
In December 2024, Superintendent Michael Bregy stated, “No action was taken to dismiss her or any other employee last month.”
Garrett contends she was an AP history substitute teacher who was fired when exercising her first amendment right of freedom of speech. She claims the firing caused severe emotional stress, sleeplessness, nausea, weight loss, tremors, humiliation, and irreputable harm to her reputation and is suing BHUSD for what her attorney, V James DeSimone refers to as “damages” of $50,000.
Reports indicate that Garrett, a 30-year teacher with BHUSD, retired from teaching years ago, and came back as a substitute teacher.
“The Beverly Hills Unified School District does not terminate employees for political statements made on their own time. Any assertion otherwise is false. The District looks forward to the facts of this matter coming to light through the legal process,” a spokesperson for the BHUSD said in a statement.
