The news sent shockwaves throughout the University and higher education nationwide.
University President Jim Ryan announced he would be resigning Friday afternoon, having faced pressure from the Trump administration to leave. And while the move left students and professors shocked and upset, it also caught the attention of lawmakers in Richmond and Washington.
Leading members of the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus held a media conference Saturday morning to discuss their reactions and how they plan to fight back. The group, led by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, condemned the pressured resignation and blamed both President Donald Trump and Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke said this constitutes a pattern of attacks by the Trump administration on higher education.
“I am offended that this administration and its minions here in the Commonwealth [are] choosing to undermine civil rights, civil liberties and higher education for the sake of taking us back to the good old days,” Locke said.
Most Democratic lawmakers shared a similar sentiment, with both Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner quickly releasing a joint statement Friday after the news broke of Ryan’s departure.
“It is outrageous that officials in the Trump Department of Justice demanded the Commonwealth's globally recognized university remove President Ryan — a strong leader who has served U.Va. honorably and moved the University forward — over ridiculous 'culture war' traps,” the two senators wrote.
Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe also released a statement on X, saying the treatment of Ryan is “tragic” given his accomplishments and leadership.
“I proudly appointed the majority of the Board of Visitors who hired Jim Ryan because they saw in him what so many of us do — a leader of vision, principle and results,” McAuliffe wrote. “Undermining a man who successfully guided U.Va. through historic challenges … sends the wrong message about the values we expect from leadership.”
In a media conference Friday, all three of Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s representatives in the General Assembly — Sen. Creigh Deeds and Dels. Katrina Callsen and Amy Laufer — spoke out in support of Ryan. Deeds credited Ryan for the University’s ability to meet financial aid needs for students.
“We ought to all be proud that U.Va. is one of the premier public institutions [of higher education] in the country,” Deeds said. “The University of Virginia is stronger because of Jim Ryan and because of his leadership.”
Callsen said that this issue goes beyond Ryan, warning that the University may not be the last target of the Trump administration.
“I also want to say that this isn't about Jim Ryan. I think that's one of the even more concerning things is that U.Va. was first,” Callsen said. “I absolutely do not think we will be the last ones that are facing pressure.”
Most Republicans have remained tight-lipped about Ryan’s resignation, catching the attention of Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Abigail Spanberger. Spanberger released a statement shortly after the news broke, criticizing the silence.
“As an alumna of the University of Virginia, I am deeply saddened to see our Governor, his Administration and so many members of the Board of Visitors remain silent in the face of these attacks on the integrity and independence of the University of Virginia,” Spanberger wrote.
Spanberger’s opponent this November, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, did not reply to a request for an interview on the matter.
Some Republicans ultimately did speak out about the news, including Lieutenant Governor Candidate John Reid. Reid took to Facebook, from his official campaign account, criticizing Ryan’s diversity, equity and inclusion policy and accusing him of hiding the Nov. 13, 2022 shooting report.
“That’s what happens when you stick your middle finger up at the elected Governor and the voters of Virginia and then play a game of chicken with the President of the United States on an issue thats [sic] overtly reverse racist like DEI,” Reid wrote.
Going forward, Democrats say this is the beginning of a bigger fight, one that may begin sooner rather than later. In a statement to The Cavalier Daily, Youngkin thanked Ryan for his service but encouraged the Board to find an interim replacement.
“The Board of Visitors has my complete confidence as they swiftly appoint a strong interim steward, and undertake the national search for a transformational leader that can take Mr. Jefferson’s university into the next decade and beyond,” Youngkin said.
Democrats say not so fast. Surovell said any attempt by the Board to install a new, permanent president would not be viewed kindly by the Senate.
“If [the Board tries] to act, and [install a new president] immediately … the Senate of Virginia would probably view that as an attempt to undermine legislative control of the body and the future governor's authority at that institution,” Surovell said.
The Senate currently has a 21 to 19 Democratic majority, and barring deaths or party switches, that will remain the case until at least 2028. Surovell and the Democratic caucus were already in an ongoing battle with the governor and attorney general over Youngkin’s appointees to university boards.
Democrats recently filed a lawsuit against University Rector Robert Hardie and other rectors over Appointee Ken Cuccinelli’s presence on the Board, which the Democrats say is unlawful. Four other vacancies recently emerged, and Youngkin made new appointments. Now, Surovell says those appointees may never be confirmed, and the appointment process writ large may be reformed to empower the General Assembly.
“I'll tell you, the Senate of Virginia right now, we are exploring all options … to deal with what the governor and the Trump administration are doing to our universities,” Surovell said. “When we come back in January, reform is going to be on the table, because we cannot afford to ever let this happen again.”
One lawmaker leading the appointee lawsuit is State Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth. Lucas, known for her boxing gloves and tough attitude, made clear that Democrats will do whatever is necessary to prevent similar situations down the road.
“We are the Senate of Virginia, and we will not be steamrolled,” Lucas said. “We intend to stand up and fight every step of the way to try to make sure that this never happens again.”
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