University of Virginia President Resigns Amid DOJ Investigation

University of Virginia (UVA) President James Ryan has announced his resignation, following a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. The investigation was sparked by President Donald Trump’s executive order, which required federally funded entities to dismantle DEI programs or face funding termination. UVA allegedly continued its programs under new names, prompting the DOJ probe.
Reactions to Ryan’s decision have been mixed. Mike Gonzalez of The Heritage Foundation called it a “victory” in Trump’s effort to curtail DEI initiatives at universities. However, Frederick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute criticized the DOJ’s approach, stating it appeared to condition federal funding on Ryan’s resignation.
Ryan’s resignation letter did not explicitly mention DEI concerns or the DOJ investigation but referenced his decision not to “fight the federal government.” The Trump administration had previously targeted Harvard and other elite universities, pulling federal funds and launching investigations into their DEI practices.
The DOJ demanded UVA report on its DEI dissolution efforts, referencing unanswered requests from earlier in the year. Ryan’s departure has drawn attention to Trump’s broader push to limit DEI programs, a move that has sparked controversy across higher education.

Published: 7/2/2025