“I think it was a mistake,” Runestad said. “When I read the sheer level of narcissism, arrogance, rule breaking, (the Trustees) certainly hit the thresholds to me that she should have replaced them.”

Vassar and Denno were investigated by the law firm Miller & Chevalier in early 2024, following a public letter by another trustee accusing Vassar of misconduct and violations of board bylaws. The firm's report eventually detailed numerous violations by both trustees, including interference in university legal affairs, accepting gifts from donors, and encouraging students to embarrass their critics, among others.

“They spent $2 million investigating by this DC law firm that found that Vassar and Denno violated multiple codes of conduct and ethics outside the boundaries of the rules,” Runestad said. “They committed serious breach of conduct, and it just goes on and on.”

MSU's board voted to ask Whitmer to consider removing Vassar and Denno following the investigation. A 1963 amendment to Michigan’s constitution allows the governor to remove or suspend public officeholders for corrupt conduct or gross neglect of duty. 

“To me, they're unrepentant,” Runestad said of the trustees. “They're just as loud and in your face as it could be, there's nothing contrite. Nothing like, ‘I was not honorably representing the university in my role'. Now it's ‘I'll do whatever the hell I want to do, and you're going to put up with it.” 

Denno and a Whitmer spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment at time of publication. In a statement, Vassar said that "public service often comes with scrutiny and opinions."

"I take my responsibility as a trustee seriously and have never wavered in my commitment to doing what’s best for MSU," she continued. "Governor Whitmer has made her decision. I am focused on the work ahead, moving the university forward, and advancing MSU’s land grant mission for vulnerable Michiganders."

'They should be staying neutral in this stuff'

Runestad visited MSU at the invitation of the College Republicans Club. During his 30-minute meeting with the group, he discussed his political career, the current state of Michigan politics and his future political aspirations.

Runestad was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2014 and was later elected to Michigan’s Senate in 2018. In Feb. 2025, Runestad was elected as chairman of the Michigan GOP.

In June, his Republican colleagues in the state house passed a bill that could cut $56.6 million in state funding to MSU. The bill has yet to be voted on in the Senate.

Asked if he plans to support the cuts, Runestad told The State News he has not reviewed the bill and was unprepared to discuss it.

Generally, he said that "universities, I think, are overloaded with administrators."

“They're overloaded with classes that are antiquated, at best, in terms of their applicability to find any kind of a job," he said.

Runestad also lauded the recent dissolution of the University of Michigan's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office. He suggested MSU should do the same.

“I'm glad the universities, starting with the University of Michigan, are getting away from taking all these official work positions (in DEI),” Runestad said. “I don't believe that is their role, with taxpayer dollars. They should be staying neutral in this stuff, particularly from the administration.”