UVA president resigns amid pressure from Trump administration
University of Virginia President James E. Ryan announced his resignation Friday, a swift response to calls from the Trump administration to step down amid the Justice Department's probe into the school's diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
'To make a long story short, I am inclined to fight for what I believe in, and I believe deeply in this University. But I cannot make a unilateral decision to fight the federal government in order to save my own job,' Ryan said in an email sent to UVA community members, which was shared with POLITICO.
The New York Times reported Thursday night that the Trump administration had been communicating privately with university officials to encourage Ryan's departure, threatening the loss of millions of dollars of federal funding allocated to the university.
Ryan is the latest university leader to come under pressure from the Trump administration, as dozens of other elite universities face scrutiny and pressure from the president to claw back DEI policies.
The Education Department launched investigations into dozens of universities in March arguing their practices violate civil rights laws by offering DEI programs. The administration has remained in a heated battle with Harvard University, which has attempted to sidestep demands to revise policies on student and faculty conduct and admissions.
In response, the administration blocked $2.2 billion in federal grants allocated to the university and barred international students from enrolling, although Trump has signaled a detente could be in the works.
The president's pressure campaign has seen success across academia, leading to policy changes or resignations of presidents from elite institutions including Columbia.
The New York Times first reported on Ryan's resignation Friday.
Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Virginia Democrats, released a statement condemning the Trump administration's actions and praised Ryan for his leadership.
'It is outrageous that officials in the Trump Department of Justice demanded the Commonwealth's globally recognized university remove President Ryan — a strong leader who has served UVA honorably and moved the university forward — over ridiculous 'culture war' traps,' the statement said. 'Decisions about UVA's leadership belong solely to its Board of Visitors, in keeping with Virginia's well-established and respected system of higher education governance. This is a mistake that hurts Virginia's future.'
It is unclear when Ryan, who has served as the university's president since 2018, will officially step down.
'This was an excruciatingly difficult decision, and I am heartbroken to be leaving this way,' Ryan said.
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