LA teacher claims she suffered serious health issues after getting fired for anti-Trump post: suit

A Beverly Hills history teacher suffered panic attacks, nausea, and physical tremors after she was fired for posting anti-Trump rhetoric on Facebook after a MAGA rally at the school, according to a new lawsuit.

Harvard graduate and 30-year Beverly Hills Unified teaching veteran Joanie Garratt was ousted days after the 2024 election over a social media post blasting Trump supporters who held a victory rally at the high school, according to court papers.

Beverly Hills High teacher Joanie Garratt, who reportedly suffered severe health issues after being fired for an anti-Trump post. Facebook/@joanie.garrat.9

Students wore MAGA hats and Trump gear and waved flags, while some allegedly targeted the Black Student Union with racial slurs and made remarks including “deport all Mexicans,” the suit, obtained by the California Post, claimed.

Garratt, an AP history substitute teacher, condemned the behavior as “bullying” online, alleging students “harassed & intimidated” classmates and blamed the conduct on “His Majesty, King Trump.”

A pro-Trump rally takes place on the Beverly Hills High campus on Nov. 6, 2024.
Beverly Hills High School is pictured in Los Angeles. The rally featured many students who “wore Maga hats, Trump apparel, and some even carried Trump Flags,” the suit says. (iStock Unreleased) Getty Images

Garratt was fired on November 13, 2024 by Mathew Horvath, an assistant superintendent who told her “the school didn’t want her back in the classroom due to her Facebook Post and terminated her,” according to the lawsuit.

Garratt claims the firing caused severe emotional distress, sleeplessness, nausea, weight loss, tremors, humiliation and “irreparable harm to her reputation.”

The suit cites BHUSD policy stating employees cannot be disciplined for personal beliefs or activities unless they violate the law or district rules.

President Donald Trump and his supporters were the target of the Harvard educated teacher’s Facebook post. (AFP or licensors) AFP via Getty Images

Garratt, who filed a wrongful termination claim shortly after her firing, is seeking general and special damages and is represented by attorney V. James DeSimone.

“Joanie’s post, which criticized harassment at the rally and attributed student conduct to political rhetoric whipped up as part of Donald Trump’s re-election strategy, is constitutionally protected speech,” DeSimone told The Post.

Garrett says she suffered panic attacks, nausea, and physical tremors after she was fired. Facebook/@joanie.garrat.9

The Beverly Hills High School Unified School District was contacted by The Post for comment.

Harvard Graduate and 30 year Beverly Hills Unified School District teaching veteran, Joanie Garratt Facebook/@joanie.garrat.9

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