There’s a problem with several of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s appointees to college boards. Their selection was voted down by the General Assembly, but they’ve refused to leave their positions. This is different from student protesters who take over buildings — those students know they’re breaking rules to make a point. But these board members think they should still be there, even after being told otherwise.

Senate Democrats have now sued the rectors of three universities for their refusal to comply with Virginia law. What or who could compel these school leaders to act this way? Look no further than our governor and Attorney General Jason Miyares and Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, who are also targeted in the suit.

A Democratic senator involved in the lawsuit explained the decision plainly: “This lawsuit is not about politics – it’s about preserving the constitutional balance of power that has served Virginia well for centuries,” said Sen. Louise Lucas. “When university rectors ignore our constitutional role at the behest of the governor and attorney general, they undermine the very foundation of our democratic institutions.”

We can see that these university leaders find themselves in a tight spot, with one branch of state government saying one thing and another branch saying something different. We’d advise them to choose the branch which has the law on its side.

When you defy the democratic process to hang on to power, you’re not governing — you’re squatting.