Abbott's comments came after A&M invited staffers and students to attend a conference that a conservative activist said broke the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Gov. Greg Abbott is threatening to force out Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh III over the university's apparent attempt to send students to a conference the governor said flouted the state's new diversity, equity and inclusion ban.

Texas A&M University had planned to send a delegation to a conference that white and Asian people were ineligible to attend.

A day before the new legislative session began, Gov. Abbott weighed in on the state’s ban on DEI, alleging that Texas A&M University is breaking the law.