Trump Takes Aim at George Mason University President Amid DOE Investigation

(NNPA) – Shortly after urging the resignation of University of Virginia's president, James Ryan, the Trump administration is now directing its scrutiny toward Greg Washington, the Black president of George Mason University, who assumed office on July 1, 2020. This comes as the administration clearly seeks to exert control over federal funding for academic institutions, focusing investigations on renowned universities such as Harvard, Columbia, and UVA concerning their accreditation. The investigations claim violations of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act related to the protection of Jewish students from discrimination. Announced by the Department of Education on July 10, one contentious finding involved GMU’s establishment of a Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence aimed at promoting systemic anti-racism. Support for Washington has emerged from GMU faculty. On July 11, ProPublica detailed how conservative alumni of UVA criticized the president for prioritizing diversity initiatives. GMU acknowledged a new investigation letter received on July 14, reiterating its dedication to comply with federal regulations amid the ongoing scrutiny. The Virginia NAACP condemned the Trump administration’s actions as an attack on diversity efforts, reinforcing the need for commitment to an inclusive academic atmosphere.