SWOK News Reports on UNT Under Scrutiny After AIM Sting
April 10, 2026
DALLAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants the University of North Texas to turn over any documentation about its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, arguing the school is breaking state laws to “push radical DEI ideology.”
On Friday, Paxton’s office announced the investigation, referencing a hidden-camera recording from a group called Accuracy in Media that appeared to show a UNT staffer discussing how DEI concepts appear in social work classes.
“Texas law is clear that these DEI policies have no place in our state-funded institutions … [UNT’s] staff appears to be flaunting the breaking of state law to push radical DEI ideology,” Paxton said in a statement. “This should result in immediate termination.”
He described UNT leadership as “systematically” allowing “the worst elements of the radical Left to run its campus.”
Texas public colleges and universities are banned under a 2023 state law from having DEI initiatives, including offices, staff, training, programs and activities based on race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Lawmakers exempted course instruction and research from the ban.
There is no state law that explicitly bans professors from teaching about race, gender identity and sexual orientation in Texas’ public universities.
Paxton’s office requested an “explanation of the claims” made by the UNT staff member and a statement detailing UNT’s compliance with the law, according to a Friday release. He also asked for all of UNT’s DEI policies and guidance, details about DEI in accreditation standards and all correspondence between UNT leadership and staff regarding DEI.
Paxton also called for the firing of the employee seen in the video. A UNT spokesperson said Friday that the staff member is no longer employed by the university.
“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,” Devynn Case, a UNT spokesperson, said in a statement.