Ryan\u2019s departure marks a new frontier in a campaign that has almost exclusively targeted Ivy League<\/a> schools. Critics also say it shows a shift in the government\u2019s rationale, away from allegations of rampant anti-Semitism on campus and towards more aggressive policing of diversity initiatives.<\/p>\n Just a day prior, the Justice Department announced it would investigate<\/a> another public school, the University of California, for its use of diversity standards.<\/p>\n Ryan, who has led the University of Virginia since 2018, faced criticism that he failed to heed federal orders to eliminate DEI policies.<\/p>\n An anonymous source told The Associated Press news agency that his removal was pushed by the Justice Department as a way to help resolve an inquiry targeting the school.<\/p>\n Ted Mitchell, the president of the American Council on Education, called Ryan\u2019s ouster an example of the Trump administration using \u201cthuggery instead of rational discourse\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a dark day for the University of Virginia, a dark day for higher education, and it promises more of the same,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cIt\u2019s clear the administration is not done and will use every tool that it can make or invent to exert its will over higher education.\u201d<\/p>\n In a joint statement, Virginia\u2019s senators, both Democrats, said it was outrageous that the Trump administration would demand Ryan\u2019s resignation over \u201c\u2018culture war\u2019 traps\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a mistake that hurts Virginia\u2019s future,\u201d Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine said.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AP25178691538819-1751060342.jpg\")
James Ryan had served as president of the University of Virginia since 2018 [Peter Morgan\/AP Photo]
\nVirginia\u2019s Democratic senators react<\/p>\n