WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the wake of the University of Virginia president’s resignation following unwarranted pressure from the Trump Administration, Vindman continues to speak out against new efforts to undermine higher education in Virginia — this time targeting Dr. Gregory Washington, President of George Mason University (GMU).
Vindman sent a letter to Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor condemning the Department of Education’s (ED) attempts to force out Dr. Washington.
“Under Dr. Washington’s leadership, GMU has continued to deliver for Virginia students while maintaining accessibility and affordability as a top public university. Dr. Washington has presided over annual growth in its student body for his entire tenure, welcoming its most academically prepared students each fall for all five years,” wrote Vindman. “Since 2021, GMU has been ranked first in the nation for military service based on GI Bill participation. Furthermore, GMU is home to both the Antonin Scalia Law School and the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, two institutions housing prominent scholars from across the political spectrum. Few universities can boast this breadth of viewpoints among their faculty and staff.”
Vindman continued, “The unfounded attacks on Dr. Washington from your office are clear government overreach. In trying to remove him from his position at the helm of GMU, ED is also working to stymie the University’s successful track record under his leadership. I strongly oppose efforts to discredit Dr. Washington’s work as George Mason’s President.”
Full text of the letter is available below.
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Acting Assistant Secretary Trainor,
I write with great concern over the attacks on Dr. Gregory Washington, President of George Mason University (GMU), by your office and the Trump-McMahon Department of Education (ED).
Under Dr. Washington’s leadership, GMU has continued to deliver for Virginia students while maintaining accessibility and affordability as a top public university. Dr. Washington has presided over annual growth in its student body for his entire tenure, welcoming its most academically prepared students each fall for all five years. Since 2021, GMU has been ranked first in the nation for military service based on GI Bill participation.
Furthermore, GMU is home to both the Antonin Scalia Law School and the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, two institutions housing prominent scholars from across the political spectrum. Few universities can boast this breadth of viewpoints among their faculty and staff.
The state legislature and Governor Youngkin clearly agree with this assessment. From 2020 to 2025, GMU’s state appropriations grew from $190 million to $366 million, funding educational opportunities, research, jobs, and financial aid for thousands of students and faculty.
The unfounded attacks on Dr. Washington from your office are clear government overreach. In trying to remove him from his position at the helm of GMU, ED is also working to stymie the University’s successful track record under his leadership. I strongly oppose efforts to discredit Dr. Washington’s work as George Mason’s President.
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