Fact Check: "UVA's DEI office was ended under Trump administration's order."
What We Know
The University of Virginia (UVA) faced significant pressure from the Trump administration regarding its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In March 2025, UVA's Board of Visitors voted to dissolve its DEI office, citing directives from the Trump administration aimed at eliminating DEI programs from federal government and educational institutions (source-3, source-5). This decision was influenced by ongoing investigations from the Justice Department, which threatened to withhold federal funding unless the university complied with federal civil rights laws regarding its DEI practices (source-2).
UVA President James E. Ryan ultimately resigned due to this pressure, expressing concerns that fighting the federal government's stance could harm the university's funding and its students (source-1). The Trump administration's actions were part of a broader strategy to reshape higher education's ideological landscape, which the administration viewed as biased against conservative values (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that UVA's DEI office was ended under the Trump administration's order is partially true. While it is accurate that the Board of Visitors voted to dissolve the DEI office citing pressure from the Trump administration, the situation is more complex than a direct order from Trump. The decision was influenced by a combination of federal investigations and the threat of losing federal funding, which created an environment where the board felt compelled to act (source-3, source-5).
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with major news outlets like The New York Times, Washington Post, and NBC News providing detailed reports on the events surrounding UVA's DEI office and President Ryan's resignation. These outlets are known for their investigative journalism and adherence to journalistic standards, which lends reliability to the information presented (source-1, source-2, source-3, source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that UVA's DEI office was ended under the Trump administration's order is partially true. While the dissolution of the DEI office was indeed influenced by the Trump administration's pressure and the threat of losing federal funding, it was not a straightforward order but rather a culmination of various factors, including the university's response to federal investigations. The situation reflects the broader context of the Trump administration's efforts to reshape higher education policies.
