Ken Paxton says he’s investigating UNT for allegations of skirting Texas DEI ban
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into the University of North Texas and whether it is continuing to teach diversity, equity and inclusion topics that go against state law.
The investigation comes after a video circulated on social media that showed a faculty member in the Social Work Department explaining how DEI concepts are still taught in classes at the university. The video was recorded discreetly by what Paxton described as an “undercover investigator.”
The staff member says in the video that professors still teach DEI topics at UNT, but do so under different keywords and titles. The person then implies that university staff are able to “get around the law” to continue teaching DEI topics, Paxton said.
“The DEI ideology has been a calamitous way that radical leftists have pushed a woke agenda in our educational institutions,” Paxton wrote in a statement. “Texas law is clear that these DEI policies have no place in our state-funded institutions. This should result in immediate termination. Texas deserves better than a UNT leadership that systematically allows the worst elements of the radical Left to run its campus.”
A spokesperson for UNT told the Star-Telegram the university is aware of the investigation and the staff member’s comments were not in line with state law.
“The views expressed by a UNT staff member in June are inconsistent with the university’s commitments and practices as a public institution to comply with state and federal laws and regulations,” the spokesperson wrote.
Paxton sent a letter to UNT’s dean of the College of Public Affairs and Human Sciences about the video. He highlighted in the letter that Texas law prohibits universities from engaging in DEI topics and activities. Paxton wrote that he is demanding an explanation about the contents of the video.
All DEI policies and guidance from UNT, details about its DEI accreditation standards and all communication between UNT leadership and staff about DEI have been requested by Paxton as part of the investigation.
Paxton also investigated UNT last year after he said the school did not take disciplinary action against students who “celebrated” the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, who was killed in Utah in September.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 11:33 AM.
