Former University of Virginia president James E. Ryan went public with a detailed 12-page account alleging political pressure and Justice Department interference that led to his abrupt resignation. Ryan accused board members of dishonest conduct and of allowing external political influence to shape university decisions. The Association of Governing Boards (AGB) responded, warning that the episode illustrates a broader threat when governing boards become "extensions of political actors," and called for renewed emphasis on fiduciary independence. Ryan’s letter and AGB’s statement name actors across state and federal lines and underscore ongoing legal and political disputes over board appointments in Virginia. The disclosures have prompted renewed scrutiny of board practices, transparency and the role of state politics in public-university governance. Boards, trustees, and higher-education counsel will need to weigh legal exposure and reputational risk as the case unfolds.