DES MOINES, Iowa (Iowa’s News Now) — Governor Kim Reynolds expressed disappointment following the release of an “undercover video”
The video was initially posted by Fox News showing a University of Iowa staff member discussing the federal and state Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) restrictions.
The caption of the video says the Iowa official admits that ‘she and others at the university are actively “finding ways to operate around” new directives intended to end the practice of reverse discrimination in the name of DEI.’
That video has since been removed.
However, in response to the video Governor Reynolds released the following statement:
I’m appalled by the remarks made in this video by a University of Iowa employee who blatantly admits to defying DEI restrictions I signed into law on May 9, 2024. I already issued a letter to the Board of Regents on January 23, 2025, reminding university representatives to comply, not only with state law, but an executive order signed by President Trump ending implementation of DEI policies at public institutions. I will be referring this matter to Attorney General Brenna Bird for her review as it relates to Iowa’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Act.”
On Wednesday, Governor Reynolds sent the Iowa Attorney General’s Office an official complaint against the University of Iowa (UI) as a result of recorded statements made by an UI employee claiming they are still covertly enforcing illegal DEI standards. You can read that full letter here:
In response Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following statement:
Regent universities must comply with our state laws including the Iowa Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) Act–Iowa Code Chapter 261J, Iowa Code Chapter 19, and also an Executive Order signed by President Trump on January 22, 2025. We have received the Governor’s complaint against the University of Iowa and have opened an investigation.