Baltimore County AP history lesson compares President Trump to Nazism, communism

One Baltimore-area high school is facing controversy over a lesson presentation that compared President Donald Trump's immigration policies to Nazism and communism.

The lesson slide in question shows a picture of Trump with the caption, "Wants to round up a group of people and build a giant wall." Underneath are two images, one of a swastika that says "been there," and another of a hammer-and-sickle that says "done that."

The slide also says, "Oh that's why it sounds so familiar!"

According to WBFF-TV, the image was presented in class on Wednesday — and parents are upset.

"The biggest problem is pushing an agenda on 16-year-olds," one parent told WBFF. "My understanding is that was just put up and it was left there for everyone to see the whole day."

State Rep. Kathy Szeliga (R) also caught wind of the lesson. She responded on Facebook, "Educational malfeasance of the highest degree. What is going on in our the Balt Co Public Schools????"

Baltimore County councilman Wade Kach told WBFF, "To even imply that our president is in any way a Nazi or a communist is outrageous. Is this curriculum for AP? Is it a purchased curriculum? Is it one that our school system wrote? Where is it coming from? I just think that it's irresponsible to post anything like this in a classroom."

In a statement, Baltimore County schools said:

This slide was used as part of a lesson in an AP History course. The topics being discussed included World Wars and the attempts by some leaders to limit, or prevent migration, into certain countries. In isolation and out of context with the lesson, the image could be misunderstood. In our Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which are college level courses, we expect and encourage analysis and discussion around historical and current events even if they are considered controversial. This lesson was not intended to make a political statement. If a student has concerns when discussing a controversial issue, schools have the tools to address the concern and support the student.

However, it is still not clear who created the slide. WBFF reported the teacher did not create it, and the Baltimore Sun reported the school system did not create it.

The College Board, which manages the AP program, does not provide curriculum for teachers.