UVA President Jim Ryan Resigns Amid DOJ Pressure Over DEI Policies

University of Virginia President Jim Ryan has resigned amid pressure from the Trump administration and an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The DOJ allegedly demanded Ryan's removal due to concerns that UVA continued DEI programming despite phasing out such policies publicly. Ryan planned to step down at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year but resigned earlier due to the circumstances. This move has sparked protests and criticism from faculty, students, and political figures including Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, who condemned the federal government's interference with university governance. Critics argue this represents an overreach and a threat to academic freedom, emphasizing that decisions about university leadership should remain with the university's Board of Visitors. The situation highlights heightened tensions between the Trump administration's approach to higher education and institutional autonomy.