Virginia Gov. Spanberger Delivers Democratic Response to State of the Union

Spanberger speaks from historic Williamsburg, calls out President's policies and rhetoric

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, speaking from the House of Burgesses Chambers in Williamsburg, Virginia. Spanberger criticized the President's policies on trade, healthcare, and immigration, and accused him of corruption and divisive rhetoric that does not serve the interests of the American people.

Why it matters

As the Democratic response to the President's State of the Union, Spanberger's speech provides an alternative vision and critique of the administration's record from the opposing party. Her remarks highlight key policy disagreements and political divisions in the country ahead of the 2024 election cycle.

The details

In her speech, Spanberger argued that the President's policies have made life more expensive for American families through tariffs and healthcare changes, while also endangering public safety and national security. She accused the President of corruption, self-enrichment, and divisive rhetoric that pits Americans against each other. Spanberger contrasted this with the grassroots activism and political engagement she has witnessed across the country, where citizens are demanding more from their government.

  • Spanberger delivered the Democratic response on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The speech took place in the historic House of Burgesses Chambers in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic Governor of Virginia, who previously worked as a federal agent and CIA officer.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, whose State of the Union address Spanberger was responding to.

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What they’re saying

“Tonight, as we watched our nation's lawmakers gather for a joint session of Congress, we did not hear the truth from our President.”

— Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia (wbal.com)

“In his speech tonight, the President did what he always does: he lied, he scapegoated, and he distracted. He also offered no real solutions to our nation's pressing challenges — so many of which he is actively making worse.”

— Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Democratic Party will likely continue to highlight the policy disagreements and political divisions outlined in Spanberger's response as they prepare for the 2024 presidential election cycle.

The takeaway

Spanberger's speech underscores the deep partisan divide in the country, with the Democratic Party offering a starkly different vision and critique of the President's record than the one presented in his State of the Union address. The speech also demonstrates the growing political influence of state and local leaders in national debates.