University of Virginia President James Ryan resigned Friday, complying with demands from the Trump administration he do so after the Justice Department opened an investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the school.
Sources told the New York Times that Ryan announced the decision in a letter to the school’s board Thursday, telling the leaders that, “given the circumstances” and “with deep sadness,” he was tendering his resignation.
According to the Charlottesville, Va., CBS affiliate, Ryan had intended to step down at the end of the next academic year.
A spokesperson for the school didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ryan addressed the development in a letter to the university community Friday afternoon.
“I am inclined to fight for what I believe in, and I believe deeply in this University. But I cannot make a unilateral decision to fight the federal government in order to save my own job,” he wrote.