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Virginia Democrats backed away from legislation that could have potentially revoked state funding for the Virginia Military Institute amid criticism from the Trump administration, VMI cadets and lawmakers in Congress.
Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly introduced House Bill 1377, which originally proposed a task force that could repeal state funding for the school. After scrutiny and controversy, the Virginia House of Representatives passed an amended bill last Thursday that no longer grants authority to strip funding from the historic military college.
The legislation, which now heads to the Virginia State Senate, still calls for an examination of school policies, although state funding is no longer in jeopardy, according to the bill's text.
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“As a VMI cadet, the bill was amended so that it no longer threatens the school's state funding, and this is now an objective review,” cadet Michael Ferrara told Fox News Digital. “VMI is not perfect, but it pushes us to get better every day and judges people on their character and performance.”
Republican critics, such as Rep. Pat Fallon, have blamed Virginia's new Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, and “far-left” agendas for initially attacking the historic institution. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images/Photo by Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Ferrara was joined by Cadet Devin Auzenne, who serves as the regiment's commander, to celebrate the bill's changes.
“The amendments to House Bill 1377 reassure me, as a current cadet, that the institution that has given me once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and transformed me into a man of character will continue to have its doors open,” Auzenne told Fox.
“It is my hope that the community and those outside of VMI will come to see what I have learned from firsthand experience, that VMI is an inclusive environment that sees its cadets for the content of their character and not the color of their skin,” Auzenne added.
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Virginia Democrats also introduced House Bill 1374, which originally would have dissolved the VMI Board of Visitors and handed control of the university board to Virginia State University. After scrutiny, the bill was scrapped and replaced to restructure the board, rather than dissolve it.
Last week, the War Department issued a statement criticizing the bill, saying the department would consider “extraordinary measures to protect the integrity of VMI.”
“The War Department is monitoring Virginia House Bill 1374, focused on the governance of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), with great concern,” War Department spokesman Sean Parnell posted on X. “For generations, the unique military environment at VMI has made the Institute a vital source of commissioned officers for the Armed Forces.”
VMI cadets hailed changes made to legislation that previously could strip funding and threaten the survival of the historic military college. (Courtesy of VMI)
“The stability of this proven leadership is a matter of direct national security concern and any action that could disrupt the ecosystem requires our full attention,” Parnell continued. “DoW reserves the right to take extraordinary measures to protect the integrity of VMI and our commitment to the cadets and midshipmen currently training there remains strong.”
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In Washington, congressional lawmakers pointed to newly elected Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger as the culprit behind the “far left” push to dismantle VMI.
“Sunlight is the best disinfectant, Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital. “Spanberger and far-left Democrats have been rightly exposed for wanting to make VMI the latest target of their anti-American crusade to bring communism to the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
Fallon serves on the House Armed Services Committee, responsible for military oversight and policies related to national defense and military service members.
The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Corps of Cadets marches during an inauguration ceremony for Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (not pictured) on Capitol Square in Richmond, Virginia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“If they truly care about the best interests of the country, Democrats should agree with President Trump and Republicans' successful efforts to strengthen our military,” Fallon continued. “Instead, they demonstrated that they are once again willing to bow to the radical left agenda that seeks to undermine historic institutions like VMI, which has produced proven leaders and statesmen like George C. Marshall, Mike Waltz, and CJCS Gen. Dan Caine. It is good news for America that Virginia Democrats have abandoned, for now, their efforts to cut VMI funding.”
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In 2021, then-Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, authorized a state review of the Virginia Military Institute following complaints of racial and gender bias related to the school's diversity policies. The research was developed during the first year of the Biden administration, a time when diversity, equity and inclusion programs were rapidly expanding in higher education and the private sector.
After taking office, Spanberger made Northam one of his first appointments by naming him to the VMI Board of Visitors, a move that sparked a backlash from Republican lawmakers and critics of the now-amended, Democratic-led legislation.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger appointed former Governor Northam to the VMI Board of Visitors. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The school was founded in 1839, making it the oldest state-funded military university in the country.
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“My two roommates are nothing like me, they come from completely different places and worship different gods,” cadet Devin Auzenne told Fox News Digital in January.
“My roommates, including Mike, who [was my] roommate, they are the people I can call my brothers, my family, my friends, and whenever I need them, they will always be here to help me,” Auzenne added.
