Trump’s GOP To Investigate Teachers Union

House Republicans have launched an investigation into whether dues paid by members of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) were used to help write, publish, and promote a book authored by union President Randi Weingarten.

The inquiry centers on questions about financial transparency and whether union resources were used appropriately in connection with Weingarten’s book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy, which was released in September 2025.

The investigation is being led by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

House Republicans Request Financial Records

In a letter sent Tuesday, the Republican lawmakers asked Weingarten to provide detailed records showing how AFT funds were spent on the book’s creation, publication, marketing, and promotional tour.

According to the lawmakers, recent reports suggest the teachers union paid for consulting services, legal work, fact-checking, photography, publishing-related expenses, and other services connected to the project.

The committee said it is seeking to determine whether union members’ dues were used in a manner consistent with the organization’s fiduciary responsibilities.

Report Claims More Than $1.4 Million Was Spent

The investigation follows a report highlighted by the New York Post, which cited a Freedom Foundation study estimating that more than $1.4 million in union resources may have been directed toward the book project.

The report further alleged that Weingarten retained a portion of the financial proceeds generated by the book.

Among the expenses identified were payments involving an attorney who reportedly assisted with the manuscript without charging directly for that work while his law firm received nearly $977,000 from the AFT for other legal services. The study also claimed a ghostwriter working on the project received more than $400,000 from the union.

Those findings have prompted Republican lawmakers to seek additional documentation before drawing conclusions.

Republicans Raise Concerns About Union Dues

In their letter, Walberg and Allen said the allegations warrant closer review because they involve money contributed by rank-and-file educators across the country.

In their letter, the lawmakers said that if union members’ dues were used to support a project that resulted in personal financial benefit, it would raise important concerns about financial transparency, accountability, and the union’s responsibility to properly manage members’ money.

They added that if the reported expenditures are accurate, union members deserve a full accounting of how their dues were used and whether proper oversight procedures were followed.

Congress Requests Documents by July 21

As part of the congressional investigation, House Republicans requested that Weingarten produce records by July 21 detailing every AFT expenditure connected to the book.

Lawmakers are also seeking:

• Records of all payments related to writing, editing, publishing, marketing, and touring the book.
• Contracts and agreements between the AFT and outside consultants, publishers, attorneys, or vendors.
• Documentation showing work performed by AFT employees on the project.
• Financial records related to any compensation or royalty arrangements.

“The Committee expects your full cooperation,” the lawmakers wrote.

Questions Surround Royalty Payments

According to Weingarten, a share of the book’s proceeds is intended to support the AFT, its Disaster Relief Fund, and the AFT Educational Foundation.

However, federal labor disclosure filings reportedly show two royalty payments totaling $125,000 were made to an entity known as Teachers Want What Kids Need, LLC, a company controlled by Weingarten.

According to the Freedom Foundation, the company is a Delaware limited liability corporation rather than a tax-exempt charitable organization.

Republican lawmakers acknowledged that Weingarten has maintained the project was conducted in partnership with the union and that she believes no rules were violated.

Even so, they wrote that the available information justifies further review to determine whether union resources were used in ways that may have provided a personal financial benefit.

AFT Represents Nearly 1.8 Million Members

The American Federation of Teachers is one of the largest labor organizations in the United States, representing approximately 1.8 million members through roughly 3,000 local affiliates.

According to labor watchdog Union Facts, Weingarten receives an annual salary of approximately $469,442 as president of the organization.

Because the AFT represents educators nationwide and collects dues from millions of members, lawmakers say transparency regarding the use of those funds is essential.

Book Sparked Political Controversy

Weingarten’s book also attracted national attention because of its criticism of President Donald Trump and its discussion of historical authoritarian governments.

In published excerpts, Weingarten argued that democratic systems rely on power being shared among citizens, while authoritarian movements concentrate authority in the hands of a single leader or elite group. She contended that the United States is moving in that direction under President Trump and also criticized billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s political influence.

In another section of the book, Weingarten wrote that teachers and public education have historically been targeted by authoritarian governments, referencing Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini as historical examples.

Those comparisons drew criticism from many conservatives, who argued the rhetoric was inflammatory and inappropriate for the leader of one of the nation’s largest teachers unions.

Investigation Focuses on Financial Accountability

While the political content of the book has generated significant debate, House Republicans say their investigation is centered on financial accountability rather than political viewpoints.

The committee is seeking to determine whether teachers union dues were used appropriately, whether union members received adequate disclosure regarding the expenditures, and whether existing financial safeguards were properly followed.

Weingarten has until July 21 to provide the requested documents.

The outcome of the investigation could shape future congressional oversight of labor organizations and renew debate over transparency, accountability, and the management of union funds.