College Station, TX – September 19, 2025 – Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III is under intense scrutiny after a leaked audio recording revealed him acknowledging the presence of LGBTQ-related courses at the university. State Representative Brian Harrison has called for Welsh’s resignation, citing concerns over curriculum content and academic transparency.
The Incident That Sparked the Debate
A student was removed from a children’s literature class after questioning whether certain course materials related to transgender ideology were legal. Soon after, an audio recording surfaced of President Welsh stating:
- “There are LGBTQ courses here and have been for a long time!”
- “There’s not a problem with teaching it!”
The controversy gained traction after being reported in outlets like AP News, which highlighted how the debate fits into a broader national clash over higher education and gender identity.
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Political Response: Rep. Harrison Calls for Resignation
Representative Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) has publicly demanded that President Welsh resign, accusing him of tolerating ideological content in curricula without proper oversight. His remarks echoed a growing conservative push to scrutinize university leadership across Texas.
Coverage from CBS News Texas noted that the political backlash intensified after video clips of classroom discussions about gender identity went viral, fueling calls for accountability.
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President Welsh’s Official Response
In response to the backlash, Welsh issued a statement saying that leaders in the College of Arts and Sciences had approved plans to teach content inconsistent with the published course descriptions. He directed his provost to immediately remove the dean and department head from their administrative roles, emphasizing that students rely on the catalog to make decisions about the courses they take.
“If we allow different course content to be taught from what is advertised, we let our students down. … We must keep our word to our students and to the state of Texas.”
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University Fallout and Resignation
As the pressure mounted, The Texas Tribune confirmed that Welsh would step down from his role as President effective Friday. Texas A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar praised Welsh’s dedication but said a change in leadership was necessary after a week of turmoil.
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What to Watch Next
- Reactions from student and faculty groups to the resignation
- How the Texas A&M Board of Regents will respond and who will serve as interim or successor president
- Potential changes in how academic courses are approved and described in the catalog
📌 Bottom Line: The resignation of Mark Welsh shows how quickly higher education leaders can be caught in political firestorms — and how academic content disputes can trigger state-level consequences.
