A&M Hands Scalp of Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III to MAGA

COLLEGE STATION, TX — Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III resigned Thursday, effective Friday, following weeks of mounting criticism from conservative lawmakers and alumni over a viral video showing a student challenging a professor on gender-related content in a children's literature course. The Texas A&M University System announced the decision, which came after sustained efforts by figures like MAGA Republican State Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, to push for his removal.

The recent wave of controversy began on September 8, when Harrison '04, a vocal Texas A&M alumnus and opponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, posted the undercover video on X (formerly Twitter). It depicted the student being removed from class after disputing Professor Melissa McCoul's use of LGBTQ+ themes in analyzing children's books. Harrison followed up with an audio recording of Welsh defending McCoul at first, saying there was "not a problem" with LGBTQ+ studies and proposing a specialized track for such topics. Welsh dismissed McCoul the following day, but Harrison and supporters, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, argued the response fell short.

Harrison, representing House District 10, has consistently criticized what he terms "leftist indoctrination" in public higher education. Over the past 10 days, he posted extensively on X, repeatedly mentioning Gov. Greg Abbott and A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar, and encouraging his followers to contact regents with demands for Welsh's dismissal. In a Thursday morning thread, Harrison wrote, "These are @GregAbbott_TX's appointees who are responsible for hiring liberal Mark Welsh, a former OBAMA official, as @TAMU President," while accusing the board of enabling "DEI and radical transgender indoctrination" with public funds. He shared a photo of the regents and their office number urging "Liberty Bots" to call and say: "Fire Welsh! End leftist indoctrination. NOW!"

The members of the A&M System Board of Regents are appointed by the governor. Although the governor cannot fire a state university president, his influence can be felt through his hand-picked regents. San Angeloan Randy Brooks is a regent.

As more information surfaced, Harrison intensified his posts. On Tuesday, he pointed to a university course on "Transgender and Queer Cinemas," asking if Abbott and Hegar backed it and were thus protecting Welsh. The following day, he targeted a class on "Feminist Approaches to Science, Technology, and Medicine," criticizing its focus on "feminist critique of science" and links between biomedicine, gender, and sexuality as state-supported ideology. "Taxpayers, you're funding this indoctrination. And apparently @GregAbbott_TX and @Glenn_Hegar support it... because they still refuse to fire Welsh," he posted.

Harrison went beyond course reviews, sharing audio that suggested Welsh knew about faculty warnings to the student against sharing videos, which he labeled a cover-up.

"Why hasn’t @GregAbbott_TX fired Welsh yet?" he demanded. By Wednesday evening, he highlighted an environmental studies course covering "ecofeminism" and "environmental justice," connecting it to Welsh with:

"The hits keep coming... Fire him!" He also started a WinRed petition that drew thousands of signatures, aiming to halt "the left’s radical agenda" at the state's leading university.

On Thursday afternoon, with speculation growing, Harrison posted that the regents were allowing "Texas taxpayers to fund DEI and radical transgender indoctrination" by standing by Welsh. Soon after, the resignation was confirmed. Harrison quickly declared success: 

"🚨WE DID IT! TEXAS A&M PRESIDENT IS OUT!!🚨 Another MASSIVE victory for the LIBERTY BOTS against the Austin Swamp Rats! As the first elected official to call for him to be fired, this news is welcome, although overdue. Now... END ALL DEI AND LGBTQ INDOCTRINATION IN TEXAS!!"

This development aligns with ongoing conservative oversight at Texas A&M, including Harrison's criticisms dating back to January. That month, Abbott warned of consequences after the business school organized a conference to attract Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous graduate students, leading Welsh to cancel involvement.

There is an open question as to whether A&M can find a candidate more qualified than Welch to lead Texas A&M, a school founded under the Morrill Act of 1862, steeped in engineering and military heritage. The Morrill Act mandated at least one college in the state would teach "military tactics" along with agriculture and the "mechanic arts." https://www.archives.gov/milestone-…

Welsh, born in San Antonio in 1954 to a World War II veteran, forged a 40-year U.S. Air Force career, achieving four-star general status and recognition for his leadership and combat prowess. As a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours in aircraft like the F-16 and A-10 Thunderbolt II, he earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses for valor in the Gulf War and War on Terrorism. He led squadrons, wings, and major commands, including U.S. Air Forces in Europe, managing operations across 51 countries and aiding U.S. Africa Command during international crises. Welsh also served as Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA, linking military and intelligence efforts.

Appointed by President Barack Obama as the 20th Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 2012 to 2016, he oversaw 600,000 personnel, contributed to Joint Chiefs strategy, and managed budgets while preparing for conflicts in regions like Syria and the South China Sea. 

Honored with the Order of the Sword from enlisted airmen and named an honorary Tuskegee Airman, Welsh retired in 2016 with awards including three Defense Distinguished Service Medals and the French Legion of Honour. 

He later became dean of Texas A&M's Bush School of Government & Public Service before taking the presidency in 2023—without a full search process—after M. Katherine Banks left amid a DEI-related hiring issue. At the time, he was commended for his stabilizing influence.

In a statement, Chancellor Glenn Hegar described Welsh as a "man of honor" who led with dedication, but noted that "now is the right moment to make a change." Board Chair Robert Albritton emphasized that the choice was free from "outside political figures and media pressure," saying, "I will say one wonderful thing about the board is that we don't listen to that." Harrison, however, referenced his January call for "new leadership that focuses on education—not liberal indoctrination," sharing a screenshot of that earlier post.

Faculty and students rallied behind Welsh. The Executive Committee of University Distinguished Professors wrote in support, urging his retention during these events. Dozens of current and former student leaders praised his "steadfast love and stewardship." 

Harrison rejected these views, portraying Welsh as an "Obama appointee" symbolizing "RINO" elements in Texas Republican circles.

Albritton stated that an interim president would be appointed soon, with a national search to follow. The episode highlights growing Republican pushes to influence university curricula, hiring, and expression, bolstered by Abbott's role in naming regents.

Harrison ended the day by cautioning the Texas Tribune on its coverage, claiming it risked "endangering [the] student's life" by identifying her without consent—a charge the publication refuted. As attention shifts, the debate over Texas A&M's path continues, with Harrison insisting: "Not stopping!... Fire Welsh. End leftist indoctrination. NOW!"