UVA President Resigns Under Trump Pressure to End DEI Programs

The University of Virginia’s president, James E. Ryan, announced his resignation on Friday, buckling under intense pressure from the Trump administration to dismantle the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Ryan, who has led UVA since 2018, cited the administration’s aggressive push to eliminate DEI programs as a key factor in his decision, noting he had already planned to step down next year for unrelated reasons.

"I believe deeply in this University," Ryan wrote to the UVA community, "but fighting the federal government to save my own job would be selfish and risk jobs, research funding, and student aid." His exit marks a dramatic escalation in the administration’s campaign to curb DEI efforts in higher education, with UVA becoming the first university explicitly pressured to oust its leader over this issue.

The Trump administration, through the Justice Department, accused Ryan of failing to fully dismantle DEI programs and misrepresenting efforts to comply with federal directives. This follows a broader crackdown, including funding cuts to elite institutions like Harvard over similar issues. White House spokesman Harrison Fields doubled down, stating, "DEI has no place in our country, and we’re working tirelessly to erase this divisive practice."

Ryan’s tenure focused on expanding diversity, boosting first-generation student enrollment, and promoting community service—efforts that drew ire from conservative alumni and board members who labeled him "too woke." Virginia’s Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, called the administration’s demands "outrageous," arguing that UVA’s leadership decisions should remain independent.

Conservative groups, including America First Legal, accused UVA of rebranding DEI programs to evade federal orders. "Changing labels doesn’t change the substance," said attorney Megan Redshaw, signaling continued scrutiny of universities accepting federal funds.