Virginia Republicans have accused Democrats of playing political games after blocking 14 more of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s university board selections, bringing the total blocked to 22. The latest move comes amid growing tensions with the Trump administration, which seeks to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on Virginia universities. This dispute has escalated to the Virginia Supreme Court, which is now to determine whether the Democratic-led committee’s actions were legally sound or an overreach of power.
Youngkin criticized the Democrats for their actions, stating that the committee’s unilateral decision to block the appointments violated state law requiring the full General Assembly to approve removals. The governor accused the Democrats of partisan interference, arguing that the blocked appointees were qualified individuals who have served effectively on university boards. The Democrats, however, defended their actions, claiming they had genuine concerns over the qualifications and political alignment of the nominees, stating in a letter to Youngkin that the rejections were ‘unprecedented’ but not partisan.
Despite the committee’s rejection, the courts eventually sided with the Democrats, allowing the appointees to be temporarily blocked. Republicans, however, appealed the decision, leading to the current Supreme Court review. The situation has caused disruptions in some institutions, including George Mason University, where the board lacks enough members to form a quorum for official business. The university is also under federal scrutiny for its DEI policies, which have drawn criticism from the Trump administration.
Some of the blocked appointees include notable figures such as the former president of Mastercard and the former president of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. The Democrats’ actions have raised concerns among Republicans about potential talent loss and a bad precedent for future service to Virginia’s higher education system. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s ruling is expected to clarify the legal boundaries of gubernatorial appointments and legislative authority in state universities.