VIRGINIA. 27 June 2025 – James E. Ryan, president of the University of Virginia, announced his resignation on Thursday, citing “unrelenting pressure” from President Donald Trump’s Justice Department over the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Ryan’s abrupt departure, effective immediately, follows months of federal scrutiny and a Justice Department letter demanding UVA dismantle its DEI initiatives or face a civil rights lawsuit.
In a statement to faculty and students, Ryan, who led UVA since 2018, expressed regret but said the decision was necessary to shield the university from further legal and political turmoil.
“The Justice Department’s actions, driven by the Trump administration’s agenda, have made it impossible to continue without risking the institution’s stability,” Ryan wrote.
He denied that UVA’s DEI programs violated federal law, calling the allegations “baseless.”
The Justice Department’s letter, sent last week, accused UVA of engaging in “discriminatory practices” through DEI policies that allegedly favored certain racial groups in hiring and admissions.
The letter, part of a broader Trump administration crackdown on DEI in higher education, gave UVA 30 days to comply or face litigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Similar warnings have been issued to other public universities, including the University of Michigan and UCLA.
Trump has repeatedly targeted DEI programs, labeling them “anti-American” and vowing to eliminate them through executive action. In a recent Truth Social post, he praised the Justice Department’s efforts, claiming, “Woke policies are being erased from our schools, and UVA is just the start.”
The administration’s moves have sparked protests at UVA, with students and faculty rallying in support of Ryan and DEI initiatives.
UVA’s Board of Visitors accepted Ryan’s resignation “with reluctance” and named Provost Ian Baucom as interim president. The board declined to comment on the Justice Department’s demands but said it would “carefully review” the university’s legal options. Faculty leaders criticized the federal pressure, with history professor Lisa Woolfork calling it “a politically motivated attack on academic freedom.”
Ryan’s exit marks the first high-profile resignation tied to the Trump administration’s renewed focus on dismantling DEI programs. Higher education experts warn that other university leaders may face similar dilemmas as federal investigations intensify. The American Association of University Professors condemned the Justice Department’s actions, urging Congress to protect institutional autonomy.
UVA, a public institution with a storied history, now faces uncertainty as it navigates the legal and political fallout. Students like junior Amara Patel expressed dismay, telling The Cavalier Daily, “This feels like a surrender to bullying from Washington.” Meanwhile, conservative groups, including the Heritage Foundation, hailed Ryan’s resignation as a victory in their campaign against “divisive ideologies” in academia.