After five long months of facing a discriminatory policy, Andrew Coates is living an answered prayer. The 22-year-old Nebraskan, who was sidelined for being homeschooled, said that he is grateful for the policy reversal that gets him one step closer to the possibility of his dream career of becoming a firefighter, and admires the determination of his father that helped him. 

“I just continue to admire my father in the way he chooses his words and takes his fights,” Coates explained in a Wednesday appearance on “Washington Watch with Tony Perkins.” 

The Fremont City Council on Tuesday voted to overturn a rule barring homeschoolers from applying to become firefighters. When Coates, a homeschool graduate, applied in April 2026 to become a full-time fireman in Fremont, his application was disqualified since he did not attend an accredited high school, despite being a volunteer firefighter for two years.

“After a national uproar over the blatant discrimination toward homeschool graduates, the City Council unanimously voted to amend a policy that had unilaterally been amended by the HR department to exclude homeschoolers,” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins detailed. “Supporters and strangers alike, who were incensed by the actions of the city, showed up in force [Tuesday] night. … [A]fter doing all they could, all that was left was they had prayed, they had voted, and they were going to keep standing.”

“I was very impressed with the citizens from around Nebraska that showed up to testify,” Perkins added. “And I will say, I was not impressed with the City Council, who for the most part, were simply trying to cover their tracks. But this is a testament to what citizens can do when they get involved.”

FRC was told that Fremont City Council meetings typically only have five to six attendees. On Tuesday night, a full house watched and waited to hear the councilmembers’ decision. “We had members of FRC there from Washington. We had an FRC chapter [there] from Lincoln. My fire chief, friends and family, and other churches [came to] support what was going on. So, it was just really, really encouraging to me and my family to see all those supporters behind us in this fight,” Coates reflected.

Perkins remarked to Coates that he is thankful for the Coates family and their ability to stand firm. “It shows what happens when citizens get involved. [I’m] just grateful for you and your family, not just shrinking back when this incident occurred, but fighting until reinforcements came and people joined to the calls.”

“This wasn’t just about you,” Perkins continued. “This is about homeschool students. This is about parents choosing to educate their children at home and then a city council, an HR department, marginalizing that choice.”

Coates explained that the city council vote was a much-needed shift. “It’s not exactly righting a wrong that happened in the past yet, but again, it’s a step in the right direction, allowing homeschool graduates to work for the city.”

Perkins agreed. “It hasn’t fixed everything, but we’re hopeful that other homeschool graduates will not have to endure what you did. In fact, as we’ve had conversations with state legislators, I anticipate there’s going to be legislation there in Nebraska to fix this as well.”

Last week, Governor Jim Pillen (R) told The Washington Stand that his administration would be investigating what happened to Coates. “Nebraskans who are qualified and eager to serve their communities should not be turned away simply because of their educational background,” Pillen asserted. “We should be encouraging young leaders like Coates, not turning them away.”

Coates shared that he’s hopeful for the future of homeschoolers in Fremont. “It’s just really encouraging to see that Fremont’s taking that next step to recognize homeschool graduates,” he said.