Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said Sunday that his state is targeting professors who promote “leftist ideologies,” as tensions grow between Republican officials and higher education leaders over academic freedom and political influence in classrooms.
Abbott’s comments came after he shared an Axios article about University of Texas professor Art Markman, who said he was dismissed from his administrative role overseeing academic affairs in September “due to ideological differences.”
“Univ. of Texas professor was dismissed from an administrative post overseeing university academic affairs because of ideological differences,” Abbott wrote in a post on social media, repeating the professor’s statement.
“Texas is targeting professors who are more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation,” he continued. “We must end indoctrination and return to education fundamentals at all levels of education.”
Markman, who remains a professor at the university, said that leadership informed him his removal from the administrative position was related to disagreements over policy direction, not misconduct. University officials have not commented publicly on the details of his dismissal.
This is the latest in a series of high-profile clashes between state leaders and Texas universities. Earlier this year, a Texas A&M University professor was fired following conservative criticism of a classroom lesson on gender expression, identity, and sexuality. The controversy led to the university president’s resignation.
The broader political context extends beyond Texas. The Trump administration has recently increased its involvement in higher education, urging universities nationwide to curb what it describes as “leftist indoctrination.” According to reports, the administration has presented a 10-point plan to nine universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, offering funding advantages if the institutions agree to adopt new federal guidelines aligned with the administration’s priorities.
While several universities have publicly rejected the proposal, University of Texas officials have not confirmed whether they plan to sign on. In a brief statement, the university said it “welcome[s] the new opportunity presented to us and we look forward to working with the Trump Administration on it.”
Abbott’s comments underscore a growing divide between Texas’s political leadership and its public universities. Supporters of the governor’s stance argue that higher education has strayed from its core academic mission, while critics warn that political interference threatens free inquiry and faculty independence.
