Virginia Governor Defends 'Aspiring Americans' in SOTU Response

Spanberger accuses Trump of using federal agents to 'terrorize' communities

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In the Democratic Party's official response to the State of the Union address, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger accused President Donald Trump of sending federal immigration agents to "arrest mothers and detain children" without warrants. Spanberger referred to illegal immigrants as "aspiring Americans" and claimed the administration's immigration enforcement policies have "killed American citizens in our streets."

Why it matters

Spanberger's remarks reflect the Democratic Party's increasingly progressive stance on immigration, portraying illegal immigrants as victims rather than lawbreakers. This rhetoric is likely to further inflame the partisan divide on immigration policy ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

The details

In her response, Spanberger said Trump and Congressional Republicans have made "life more expensive" and are "even making it more difficult to see a doctor." She claimed she is working to "lower costs and make the Commonwealth more affordable." Spanberger also praised her work with local law enforcement, saying she "work[s] side by side with local and state police to keep our community safe and to uphold and enforce the law." However, she rescinded former Governor Glenn Youngkin's order deputizing state police to assist federal immigration enforcement, and issued an executive order stating Virginia "does not engage in fear-based policing" or "enforcement theater."

  • Spanberger delivered the Democratic response to the 2026 State of the Union address on February 25, 2026.
  • In early February 2026, Spanberger issued an executive order stating Virginia will not assist federal immigration enforcement.

The players

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic Governor of Virginia who delivered the party's official response to the 2026 State of the Union address.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States whose immigration enforcement policies were criticized by Spanberger in her SOTU response.

Glenn Youngkin

The former Republican Governor of Virginia whose executive order deputizing state police to assist federal immigration enforcement was rescinded by Spanberger.

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What they’re saying

“We did not hear the truth from our president and Congressional Republicans are unwilling to assert their constitutional authority to stop him.”

— Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia

“Our president has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans, and they have done it without a warrant. They have ripped nursing mothers away from their babies. They have sent children — a little boy in a blue bunny hat — children to far-off detention centers. And they have killed American citizens in our streets, and they have done it all with their faces masked from accountability.”

— Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia

What’s next

Spanberger's rhetoric and policy actions on immigration are likely to be closely watched as she is seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender. Her stance could influence the Democratic Party's platform and nominating process.

The takeaway

Spanberger's SOTU response reflects the Democratic Party's shift towards a more progressive stance on immigration, portraying illegal immigrants as victims rather than lawbreakers. This rhetoric is likely to further inflame partisan divisions on this issue ahead of the 2028 election cycle.