Expressing Regret

" There are some new questions now. Around one of the president's top advisers on education. White House safe schools bizarre Kevin Jennings tickets in heat for an incident that happened about twenty years ago he was a high school teacher. Counseling a gay student the boy -- confided in him told him he was having an affair with an older man and wait to -- here. What Jennings advice to him was that's what's gotten into hot water -- an hour right now America's Newsroom. Welcome everybody I'm Martha MacCallum and -- Callahan."

" Any again Martha ally Bill Hemmer top of the hour now we're talking about a case that involves statutory rape and Jennings -- reported that. According to a book he wrote had no regrets about -- did. Then and that he has changed his story -- Mike Emanuel joins us live at the white house with that. Knows so much in detail about this controversy. Well Martha Jennings is included the story in two books he's also spoken about it at public events. At -- an education summit involving. Gay lesbian. Education group that he founded. He told the story that a fifteen year old came to him said that he was meeting. Older men in a bus station rest room. And out getting involved with them and Jennings advice to the young man the fifteen year old teach this student was well I hope you do to use a condom. The child said to him. Well why should I my life's not not worth living anyway and so. A lot of people suggesting that should have thrown out all sorts of red flags for this teacher that I'm so many levels at what is he saying now about this matter Mike. What Jennings has expressed some regret issuing a statement saying quote 21 years later. I can see how I should have handled the situation differently I should have asked for more information and consulted legal or medical authorities. Teachers back then had little training and guidance about this kind of thing."

" Market so what you know the White House has had a lot of heat about a number of these people in these positions what they're response to this controversy about this news are."

" Well the Department of Education is pointing out that he was a 24 year old teacher at the time that since then he has been highly regarded in awarded for his work as an educator over the years. Education secretary Arnie Duncan putting out a statement saying quote. Kevin Jennings has dedicated his professional career promoting school safety. He is uniquely qualified for his job and I am honored to have him on our team but some of the critics are saying at this point. That it's not the fact that this was that a man on man situation -- situation is the fact that any fifteen year old who says he's or she is sexually active. With an older man. Should have set off all sorts of warning flares and that he should have contacted parents or law enforcement or somebody else about this. And so that's where a lot of people are. -- Jennings right now."

" I mean try to imagine that fifteen year old girl going to their teacher is saying why just keep picking people up at a bus station. And right that the parents wouldn't be alerted and that it has something wouldn't be sort of taken in. And taken to a higher level and brought in somewhere experts time thank you very much my we'll see where this goes -- recommended by the White House in the."