Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are “real pioneers when it comes to school choice,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Elizabeth (Betsy) Dee DeVosFormer DeVos chief of staff joins anti-Trump group Ex-Pence aide throws support behind Biden, citing Trump's virus response OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' MORE said Monday.

“They are living proof that when more options are provided to students, they are afforded greater access and great quality,” DeVos said in a statement. “Their success has shown that more options help students flourish.”

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DeVos’s comments come as representatives from the country’s HBCUs are in Washington to meet with Republican lawmakers. President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE is expected to sign an executive order related to the institutions on Tuesday.

Her remarks immediately stirred backlash from supporters of HBCUs, who pointed out that the institutions were established because African-American students, often, did not have any other choice.

Betsy DeVos's HBCU statement is reason no. 379 that she should not be secretary of education. — Duke Sage (@realdaveshelton) February 28, 2017

This is not okay. Devos is truly clueless and has far too much power. Her leadership of USEd is dangerous https://t.co/MixGaTEWAX — Jovan Miles (@JovanDM) February 28, 2017

On Twitter, some users argued that DeVos’s statements could be equated to saying that segregated water fountains simply gave people more beverage choices, or that civil rights icon Rosa Parks was standing up for seat choice.

Betsy DeVos said HBCUs were about school choice. As if white/colored water fountains were about beverage options. pic.twitter.com/I3tNlER43n — Resist Dystopia (@AynAyahSteenkur) February 28, 2017

@nktpnd betsy devos: "rosa parks is a real pioneer when it comes to seat choice" — Sam Deutsch (@samdman95) February 28, 2017

Brendan Nyhan, a professor of political science at Dartmouth University, pointed out on Twitter that DeVos’s statement appeared to contradict information readily available on her department’s website.