DALLAS (NewsNation) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is doubling down on his promise to remove what he and other Republicans call "wokeness ideologies" from colleges and universities.

It's a move that’s igniting national debate over academic freedom and whether professors are being punished for their political views.

"Texas is targeting professors who prioritize advancing leftist ideologies over equipping students to lead our nation," Abbott wrote on social media.

The comment followed the ouster of University of Texas professor Art Markman from a leadership role, which officials attributed to “ideological differences.”

Markman remains a tenured faculty member, but his demotion has fueled concerns about political interference in academic freedom.

Professor's demotion fuels campus speech debate

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