George Mason Faculty Rally Around Besieged President as Federal Probes Intensify

FAIRFAX, VA - July 26, 2025 George Mason University faculty have mobilized to support President Gregory Washington amid mounting federal investigations widely perceived as politically motivated. The Faculty Senate passed a resolution expressing confidence in Washington and defending the university’s diversity initiatives—including transparency, due process, and merit-based performance review—amid probes by the Department of Justice and Department of Education. The resolution criticized the Board of Visitors’ failure to stand up for the president and urged that evaluations be based on his professional record—not political pressure

Washington, George Mason’s first Black president (serving since July 2020), is now facing four separate federal investigations into alleged violations of Title VI and Title VII, ranging from potential race‑based hiring practices and discrimination in admissions and benefits to insufficient response to antisemitism on campus. Faculty fear that, without institutional backing, he may be pushed out before the investigations conclude—echoing the resignation at the University of Virginia under similar circumstances.

Beyond faculty, a coalition including students, alumni, Jewish lawmakers, and business leaders is voicing strong support for Washington and GMU’s mission. Critics of the governing board say its alliance with conservatives—including the hiring of Trump-connected Torridon Law—undermines institutional autonomy and appears to align with broader efforts to exert ideological control over public universities.

*Sources: *https://www.propublica.org/article/george-mason-university-antisemitism-investigation-trump