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The Justice Department had been scrutinizing one of the nation’s premier public universities over accusations of civil rights violations.
By Michael C. Bender and Michael S. Schmidt
Michael C. Bender and Michael S. Schmidt reported on Tuesday that a deal was imminent between White House and the University of Virginia.
Oct. 22, 2025, 4:51 p.m. ET
The University of Virginia, facing immense pressure from the White House, struck a deal with the Trump administration on Wednesday that removed, at least temporarily, the threat of a federal investigation.
The Justice Department announced the deal. It was the first time a public university had cut a far-reaching agreement with the Trump administration, which is carrying out an extraordinary campaign to shift the ideological tilt of the higher education system.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that an agreement to end the monthslong standoff was imminent. The deal was expected to be less costly than those signed by some private, Ivy League colleges, in large part because James E. Ryan had resigned as president of the university in June. The administration viewed Mr. Ryan as an obstacle in its bid to root out policies focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
The government has stripped billions of dollars from elite universities, including Harvard, which has been the target of investigations from multiple federal agencies. Mr. Ryan was the first university leader to be pushed out by the administration.
Michael C. Bender is a Times correspondent in Washington.
Michael S. Schmidt is an investigative reporter for The Times covering Washington. His work focuses on tracking and explaining high-profile federal investigations.
