Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is weighing in on the growing controversy at Texas A&M University, openly questioning the leadership of President Mark Welsh following revelations that a children’s literature course included instruction on introducing LGBT topics to minors.
In a post on X, Patrick blasted Welsh’s handling of the scandal:
“As more information is made known, it is clear that [Texas A&M] President Mark Welsh did not handle the recent situation concerning a student and a professor who was fired yesterday as he should have. His ambivalence on the issue and his dismissal of the student’s concerns by immediately taking the side of the professor is unacceptable. This is not the first instance of a lack of confidence in President Welsh’s leadership.”
Patrick urged the Texas A&M System Board of Regents and newly installed Chancellor Glenn Hegar to continue their investigation into the matter and not to stop with the firing of the professor.
“Whatever their decision is on the future of President Welsh is up to them. Most parents, students, and Aggie alumni expect Texas A&M to reflect the values of our state and our nation as well as A&M’s rich history. If President Welsh will not or cannot reflect those values, then change needs to happen,” Patrick said.
The remarks come just days after A&M announced the termination of Dr. Melissa McCoul, the professor at the center of the uproar, and pledged to audit course offerings across all campuses.
The firing followed mounting outrage after State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian) released video of McCoul telling a student to leave class for objecting to the material on religious grounds.
Harrison has also subsequently released recordings of Welsh defending the course content and being combative with the student who raised the concern.
System Chancellor Glenn Hegar has commended Welsh’s termination of McCoul, while the board of regents issued a statement declaring it “will not tolerate actions that damage the reputation of our institutions.”
Yet Patrick’s sharp criticism adds weight to growing calls for Welsh’s removal.
Welsh has had a long history of promoting DEI and LGBT initiatives—policies the Legislature has moved to roll back in recent years. Welsh previously defended DEI programs and only reversed course after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened his job earlier this year.
Now, with pressure mounting from both lawmakers and statewide leaders, the fate of Welsh’s presidency appears increasingly uncertain.
