Trump sent 'explicit' threat to cut funds from University of Virginia, senator says

[groundloop]

Source: The Guardian

The University of Virginia (UVA) received “explicit” notification from the Trump administration that the school would endure cuts to university jobs, research funding and student aid as well as visas if the institution’s president, Jim Ryan, did not resign, according to a US senator.

During an interview Sunday on CBS’s Face the Nation, Mark Warner, a Democratic senator for Virginia, defended Ryan – who had championed diversity policies that the president opposes – and predicted that Donald Trump will similarly target other universities.

Warner said he understood that the former UVA president was told that if he “tried to fight back, hundreds of employees would lose jobs, researchers would lose funding, and hundreds of students could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld”.

“There was indication that they received the letter that if he didn’t resign on a day last week, by 5 o’clock, all these cuts would take place,” Warner added. He also said he believes this to be the “most outrageous action” that the Trump administration has taken on education since it retook office in January.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/29/trump-threats-university-of-virginia-mark-warner

---

Ryan resigned last Friday.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/27/university-virginia-president-resigns-dei-trump

[The Blue Flower]

1. Nice university you got there. Would be a shame if anything happened to it.

We don't have a president. We have a clownish mob boss.

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. That was exactly my take.

[wolfie001]

2. Bob Dylan should pen a song about this outrage!

Oh right, he doesn't do that sh7t anymore. Any RW'ers need a little ditty for their back slapping documentaries?

[Captain Zero]

3. I guess every university should just let Trump

Pick their president?

[erronis]

4. An article from Joyce Vance on this:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220438398

This is an excerpt from an email from Joyce Vance - does not include the Five Questions which may be available by reading her post directly. I just thought this preface was worth sharing for its description of John Warner and his opinion on the blackmail of the University of Virginia.

In an era where some senators don’t even make time to speak with their own constituents, it’s refreshing to find one who’s willing to join Americans across the country, as well as people in other countries, to answer some of the most pressing questions we all have right now. Virginia Senator Mark Warner was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2008. He’s now serving his third term, having been reelected for the second time in November 2020. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence and as a member of the Senate Finance, Banking, Budget, and Rules Committees.



From 2002 to 2006, Warner served as Governor of Virginia. When he left office in 2006, Virginia was ranked as the best state for business, the best-managed state, and the best state in which to receive a public education. That last is a glaring reminder of where we are today, as news that the University of Virginia’s president, Jim Ryan, stepped down after Donald Trump demanded it. Senator Warner, along with his colleague Senator Tim Kaine, issued the following statement this morning:

"Virginia’s economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system. 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 UVA honorably and moved the university forward—over ridiculous ‘culture war’ traps. Decisions about UVA’s leadership belong solely to its Board of Visitors, in keeping with Virginia’s well-established and respected system of higher education governance. This is a mistake that hurts Virginia’s future."

[hlthe2b]

6. While I appreciate her supportive (outraged) post for Ryan, did any of the subscription-only piece include possible

-responses to be pursued or legal strategies to prevent the spread of this audacity to other universities?

[MadameButterfly]

11. There needs to be a lawsuit

Ohterwise, Trump will own all the universities. Yikes. THis needds to be stopped now.

[hlthe2b]

5. We have a populace that includes those predisposed to violence. When every day presents dozens of new atrocities and

destructive, intentional acts, it is increasingly inconceivable that one of those so predisposed may not be triggered to act. We can all disavow violence and I DO, but there is a price to be paid when the "already injured" continue to be poked and poked and poked- and survival instincts kick in.

I honestly don't know how we (this country) survive the next four years--democratically, economically, institutionally.

[MadameButterfly]

12. The 60's seem so innocent now

Demonstrate, maybe you'll be arrested for a while. Oh, and you migh be killed by a policeman.
But those numbers were lower than the immigrant dying in ICE facilities now. And these numbers will climb.

[Timeflyer]

7. Stinky Diaper is just jealous that DeSatan gets to appoint his white-boot lickers to Florida university presidencies.

And run them the way the conservative billionaires want.

[Fla Dem]

8. He is an evil, evil person. But he is also being directed by equally evil people.

There is no way the ignoramus would even understand what sway the federal gov't has over universities.

[Cha]

9. GD Traitor to Fry in Hell.. They Need

to be STOPPED! I don't know how it will happen at this point but it Needs to HAPPEN SOONER THAN LATER

[Skittles]

10. Trump is a thug and a bully

but, who could nazi that coming?

[MadameButterfly]

13. How do we protect Universities?

Last edited Mon Jun 30, 2025, 08:00 PM - Edit history (1)

I was sad when the RW took over New university in Florida.. Now they seem intent on the rest.
I understand that the UVa president had to resign. He couldn't endanger others. There needs to be more support in place the next time this happens, so no one else has to make this choice.
This isn't about one guy's job. It's about whole universities. It's about freedom.
He will do this to everybody if we don't stop him.

[mahina]

16. ?

I make a lot of typos. What was meant by sand? Thank you.

[Botany]

14. Unelected dictator

All Universities and colleges need to stand up to his shit.

[dalton99a]

17. We are ruled by an evil tyrant.