Former University of Virginia president James E. Ryan released a detailed 12‑page account describing the immediate forces that led to his abrupt June resignation. Ryan says he was told by federal attorneys that staying on would jeopardize millions in research funding, and he describes a compressed ultimatum that forced his exit. His letter blames a mix of political pressure, board maneuvering and threats to federal finance streams. The episode has drawn scrutiny from faculty, governance groups and state officials; Ryan’s account names Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office and board members who pushed for dismantling DEI offices, and frames the DOJ’s actions as a central lever. The account and subsequent reporting raise questions about federal leverage over campus policy, the independence of governing boards, and risks to research funding. For trustees and higher‑education leaders, the case spotlights how external political fights can convert into immediate fiscal threats and governance crises — and why transparent board processes and federal funding contingency planning are now front‑line issues.