Greg Abbott Says Texas Is ‘Targeting Professors’ Who Push Leftism

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott said on Sunday that the state is actively going after professors at public universities who push leftist ideologies over important studies.

Abbott made the comment in response to a University of Texas at Austin professor getting dismissed from an administrative post over “ideological differences,” a move that was reported by Axios last week. In a post on X sharing the Axios story, Abbott wrote, “Texas is targeting professors who are more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation.”

“We must end indoctrination and return to education fundamentals at all levels of education,” he added.

After being dismissed, tenured psychology professor Art Markman said on LinkedIn he’s preparing for “a new chapter” in his career. He had been at the University of Texas for 27 years, eventually becoming senior vice provost for academic affairs. Markman is also a co-host of the science podcast, “Two Guys on Your Head.” He did not say what “ideological differences” led to his dismissal.

The Daily Wire reached out to the University of Texas at Austin, seeking comment.

Markman’s dismissal came as the University of Texas System, which consists of 14 academic and health institutions across the state, launched a review of gender identity and LGBTQ studies, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The probe will look into courses at all 14 of the system’s institutions.

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“The U.T. System has been reviewing courses on gender identity taught at all U.T. institutions to ensure compliance and alignment with applicable law and state and federal guidance, and to make sure any courses that are taught on U.T. campuses are aligned with the direction and priorities of the Board of Regents,” the University of Texas System said in a statement. “This review will be discussed at the November Board of Regents’ meeting.”

Pressure has ramped up on Texas universities to gut courses that include diversity, equity, inclusion, and radical gender theory as President Donald Trump takes action against schools that push leftist ideologies.

Texas A&M, which is not part of the University of Texas System, has also faced controversy in recent weeks after Dr. Melissa McCoul, an English professor, was filmed in class pushing pro-LGBT talking points and telling a student who opposed her to leave a lecture. The videos showing McCoul spouting radical gender theory in a children’s literature class at the university were obtained by Republican Texas Rep. Brian Harrison and first reported by The Daily Wire.

Harrison then went on a crusade accusing Texas A&M of leftist bias and pushed for the university’s president, Mark Welsh to step down or be fired. Welsh’s resignation was announced less than two weeks later.

Harrison appears unconvinced that Texas is going far enough to address LGBT courses at public universities. The state lawmaker responded to Abbott’s post on Sunday, saying that the University of Texas System is still promoting “LGBTQ Studies.” The University of Texas offered numerous courses on LGBT topics this fall, including “Queer Eastern Europe,” “Queer Latinx Aesthetics,” and “Black Queer Art Worlds.”