University President Trashes DOJ
Former University of Virginia President James Ryan has released a stunning letter revealing why he abruptly resigned this summer. According to Ryan, the Department of Justice privately warned that UVA could lose vital federal funding unless he stepped aside, creating a crisis behind the scenes that the public never knew about.
The DOJ has denied demanding his removal, but Ryan’s account is already sparking concern among alumni, parents, taxpayers, and higher-education watchdogs across the country.
Ryan Says DOJ Threatened UVA’s Funding
In his letter, Ryan said the pressure came during a broader Trump-era push to ensure universities were complying with federal law and cooperating with ongoing investigations. He claimed he may have been the only university president forced out as part of what he described as an informal “deal” with the administration.
Ryan also suggested some UVA board members were more willing than others to go along with federal directives—creating tension within the school’s leadership.
UVA Board Strongly Denies Cutting Any Deal
UVA Rector Rachel Sheridan released her own statement denying:
- That the board pushed Ryan to resign
- That the board received any promise from the federal government
- That his resignation was traded for leniency in ongoing investigations
However, Sheridan admitted the university faced significant risk if it openly defied the DOJ. She said federal officials had lost confidence in Ryan’s ability to bring UVA into compliance and were prepared to use their full leverage if the standoff continued.
Ryan Says He Stayed Silent to Protect UVA’s Federal Support
Ryan wrote that he chose to stay quiet at the time because speaking out would:
- Put UVA’s federal funding in jeopardy
- Fail to stop his removal
- Trigger harsh penalties or deeper investigations
- Hurt students, faculty, and research programs
He said he was repeatedly warned not to disclose any of the federal demands and felt trapped between protecting his own reputation and protecting the university.
Ryan Points to Two DOJ Officials With UVA Ties
Ryan says the pressure originated with two DOJ lawyers—one of them Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the Civil Rights Division and previously attended UVA. He said the situation escalated in June after a media report revealed the alleged federal push to remove him.
Ryan claims he was told the DOJ would “rain hell” on UVA if he did not agree to resign by the end of the day.
A Quiet Deal Was Offered Behind the Scenes
Ryan says federal officials offered a sweeping deal:
If he resigned, all federal investigations would be paused and the university’s research funding would be protected.
A few months later, UVA and the federal government reached an agreement that:
- Imposed no fines or financial penalties
- Suspended ongoing federal inquiries
- Granted the Trump administration access to admissions data
- Allowed UVA to move forward without losing federal research dollars
Political Battle Erupts After Letter Release
The timing of Ryan’s letter is already influencing Virginia politics.
- Democrat Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has urged UVA to delay choosing a new president until she takes office.
- Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin pushed back, arguing the decision should not be politicized or stalled for partisan advantage.
The controversy is now front and center as Virginia faces a major transition in leadership—and as parents, students, and taxpayers demand answers about what happened inside UVA’s leadership circle.
