Republican, Democrats clashed in Virginia to block the appointment of the university board

Virginia Republican leaders blow up state Democrats’ politics and usurp court after blocking 14 Republicans Governor Glenn Youngkin The university board appointments last week, the total number has reached 22 blocked appointments since June.

The latest lockdown came just months after the state elected a new governor and was pushed by the Trump administration University of Virginia Eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program. Just last month, a board of directors of the school, George Mason University (GMU), voted to retain and raise their salary to their president, which defended the university’s DEI policy against the Trump administration.

“Last week, eight Democratic senators continued their partisan campaign to irreparably damage higher education in Virginia to remove Youngkin’s statement in a statement to Fox News Digital that they served effectively on the visitor boards of UVA, VMI and George Mason,” Youngkin said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “In my opinion, a Senate committee does not have legal mandate to fulfill the duties explicitly assigned to the entire convention by the Constitution and Code … I am confident in our position.”

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Youngkin added that “more worrying” is that the Democrats who blocked him clearly provided no explanation for their actions. But Democrats have shown that they believe Youngkin’s nominee holds too extreme views.

Fox News Digital approached numerous Virginia Democrats, including the Democratic chairman of the committee, which voted to block Youngkin’s appointment, Aaron Rouse and Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger candidates, but heard no response.

The lockdown was initiated and approved by the Democratic Senate Privileges and Election Committee and chaired by Ruth. Youngkin and other Virginia Republicans believe the committee’s unilateral action prevented board appointees from violating state law, requiring all legislatures to approve the removal, rather than a single committee.

The Circuit Court judge eventually supported the Democrats, allowing the appointee to be temporarily blocked by the committee. But the Republicans then appealed the matter and are currently awaiting a Virginia ruling Supreme Court.

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“We have a job to do as this committee, not only to protect our college, but to ensure that the appointees and potential appointees adhere to the values ​​and principles set by the Commonwealth,” Ruth said at a hearing last week. Meanwhile, in a letter to Youngkin last week, Democratic leaders in Virginia acknowledged that rejection was “unprecedented” but rejection was entirely “partisan.”

“This unprecedented level of rejection does not reflect partisan obstacles, but a real concern about the qualifications, background and intentions of the appointees,” the letter said. Virginia Mercury. “When these institutions require stable, qualified leadership, patterns of improper nominations and acquiescent influence on external political influence create enormous uncertainty and instability in our higher education system.”

Democrats say the governor should suspend further appointments until they can grant him further on the matter.

The Virginia Senate held on the first day of the 2024 legislative session at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. (Billy Schuerman/Virginian/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

But Republicans fear that Democrats are abandoning talent and set a precedent that will prevent the best and smartest people from wanting to serve higher education institutions in the state. Some members blocked by the Democratic Party include former Mastercard president Republican and Democratic governors, According to state Senator Glen Sturtevant, former chairman of the Northern Virginia Technical Committee. The Virginia Attorney General and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security under Donald Trump Cuccinelli was also one of the appointed people.

“What is the intention to make such a broad stroke and remove so much?” asked Sen. Tara Durant of Virginia during a roughly 10-minute meeting last week, resulting in 14 Youngkin-appointed men being shot down. “It’s really unprecedented. We have a list of many experienced people and I think the broader question it raises is what will happen in the future to discourage those willing to serve the Commonwealth with that capability.”

Like state Senator Bill DeSteph, Republicans also noted that the state Supreme Court is currently ruling whether the university board will be blocked by the Legislative Council instead of requiring approval from the entire convention.

“This meeting was inappropriate and irresponsible when the Virginia Supreme Court was actively considering this issue,” Desteph said.

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During the committee vote, Virginia Republicans said that Democrats appear to be trying to influence the Supreme Court, or usurp the court’s power. “Before we vote on this, we should allow the Supreme Court a chance to rule over it. It’s positive,” he said.

The Democratic lockdown reportedly resulted in at least one this University Involved.

Images of the main lawn at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. (Pryce/struction photography/Avalon/Getty image)

At GMU, the visitor board lacks enough members to form a quorum to conduct formal business, according to the Washington Post.

Meanwhile, the school faces multiple federal civil rights investigations related to so-called racial recruitment quotas and other DEI program.

In addition, last month, the GMU board of directors voted to retain and raise the salary to President Gregory Washington, who reportedly refused to comply with the Trump administration directives related to the DEI.

The University of Virginia also faces federal scrutiny on the Trump administration’s implementation of the DEI program.

Fox News Digital contacted the UVA, GMU and VMI boards for comment but did not hear it immediately.