The Jefferson Council, a conservative group that has long advocated for the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the University of Virginia (U.Va.), has intensified its campaign against the institution’s leadership. This push, which had stalled for years despite growing criticism of DEI programs, has gained new momentum with the involvement of a Trump-aligned lawyer who has taken the cause to the federal level. The group has targeted university president James E. Ryan, who has consistently defended DEI initiatives as essential to fostering inclusivity and academic excellence at the university.