Students walk across campus at Texas Southern University on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Houston.

Looking at Texas Southern University's recent history, marked by administration upheaval, board changes and department scandals, one might think the institution is snakebitten, plagued by forces determined to keep the chaos alive.

This week, the turmoil took a new turn.

Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the Texas Rangers and state comptroller to investigate TSU's finances after the state auditor allegedly uncovered mismanagement of hundreds of millions of dollars, including asset oversight, contracting and financial reporting, The governor's announcement followed a release of the state auditor's "interim update" by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, even though the audit hasn't been finalized.

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Given Abbott's ongoing campaign against DEI programs at Texas public universities, it is not surprising he would take such an aggressive posture toward TSU, a historically Black university founded in 1927. TSU stands alone as the state's only independent public university, unaffiliated with any Texas university system. Its status has long made it both unique and politically vulnerable.

Still, deploying law enforcement before the audit report is complete is an excessive show of force. It's worth noting that TSU's board of regents is appointed by Abbott himself,........

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