Ronald Reagan quipped the nine most terrifying words were ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help'
Biden official butchers popular phrase coined by Ronald Reagan about government's role in everyday life
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was caught on camera butchering a popular phrase coined by the late former President Ronald Reagan about the federal government's role in the everyday lives of Americans.
Social media users gave Education Secretary Miguel Cardona a failing grade on Monday after appearing to butcher one of President Ronald Reagan’s more famous quotes.
At the 2023 Winter Meeting for the Western Governors' Association in Jackson Hole, Wyoming earlier this month, Cardona commented on the need for "technical assistance" to be provided to schools. During the event, he invoked the former president to try and make a point.
He said, "I think it was President Reagan who said, 'We're from the government. We're here to help.'"
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona spoke about the need for technical assistance in schools. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
In actuality, the quote from Regan, which came from a press conference in 1986, read, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’"
Many users on X mocked Cardona and pointed out the irony of an education secretary appearing not to understand a historical quote.
"They're not sending their best," podcast host Konstantin Kisin remarked.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy wrote, "The Education Secretary gets a failing grade. Fire him & shut it down."
They're not sending their best.
— Konstantin Kisin (@KonstantinKisin) November 27, 2023
"[Y]ou can't be this stupid, @SecCardona," school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis implored.
The Education Secretary gets a failing grade. Fire him & shut it down. https://t.co/vxtXblraZU
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 27, 2023
The Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway joked, "I actually find it chef's kiss perfect that the Education Secretary is this ignorant of history."
you can't be this stupid, @SecCardona.
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) November 27, 2023
"Once you realize this is who is in charge of government education, our horrific literacy rates actually make total sense," American Federation for Children CEO Tommy Schultz explained.
I actually find it chef's kiss perfect that the Education Secretary is this ignorant of history. https://t.co/3x4TUOqprv
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) November 27, 2023
"Next up: ‘It was Barry Goldwater who said, "The pursuit of justice is no virtue!’" National Review editor Ramesh Ponnuru joked.
Once you realize this is who is in charge of government education, our horrific literacy rates actually make total sense. https://t.co/opa6HYg0Zc
— Tommy Schultz (@Tommy_USA) November 28, 2023
Columnist David Marcus commented, "Imagine how little exposure to conservative ideas one would have to have while garnering various college degrees to possibly make this mistake."
"OMG. Universal private and home schools. Now," Tampa Bay editor Jim Stinson wrote.
President Reagan's quote was "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’" (Photo by: Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Education for comment but has yet to receive a response.
Cardona was confirmed as education secretary in March 2021.
Cardona claimed that Reagan's line was simply "We're from the government. We're here to help." (Getty Images)
Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to
