'That was so painful and awkward!' CNN's Anderson Cooper mocks Betsy DeVos' humiliating flip-flop on Special Olympics funding

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has had a rough few days as outrage has swelled around her department's decision to cut funding for the Special Olympics in its proposed budget.

The budget was never going to become law anyway — Congress decides where money gets spent, not the administration — but the executive branch's proposed funding is meant to reflect its priorities and values. Cutting funds for one of the most universally approved programs shows a dearth of decent values — not to mention horrible public relations judgment.

In light of the backlash, President Donald Trump tried to back off from the cuts on Thursday, even though the budget has been finalized and DeVos has been in the unenviable position of defending the cuts.

CNN's Anderson Cooper noted Thursday night that this fumbling of the issue made for a particularly embarrassing series of events. At one point, reporters caught up with her at an elevator on Capitol Hill and peppered her with questions about the decision. But she just stood and stared at the doors, silently ignoring the questions.

"Oh my god!" said Cooper after playing the clip. "That was so painful and awkward!"

He continued: "That's an epic non-response."

Watch the clip below: