RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic Party's response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night, speaking from the old Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg — a location she said reflects the significance of Virginia and America's history as the country nears its 250th anniversary.
Spanberger used the speech to criticize Trump, rhetorically asking whether he was working to make life more affordable, safe, and working for Americans — and answering no.
National Politics
Trump's State of the Union focuses on tariffs, immigration and foreign policies
She said during her campaign for governor last year, she heard concerns from Virginians about affordability issues, and said Trump's trade policies and tariffs have only made those problems worse. Spanberger also said that while America's immigration policy is broken, it does not call for the ICE actions that have played out in cities like Minnesota. She added that Trump's foreign policies have harmed Americans' safety and standing in the world.
In closing, Spanberger said voters will reject Trump's policies and the Republican Congress that has backed him in November.
"It is deeply American and patriotic to do so, and it is how we ensure that the State of our Union remains strong, not just this year but for the next 250 years as well. Because 'We the people' have the power to make change, the power to stand up for what is right, and the power to demand more of our nation," Spanberger said.
Spanberger had previewed the speech to reporters at the State Capitol earlier Tuesday.
Watch: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger on her response to President Trump
"I'm excited about having the opportunity to respond to what we hear this evening," Spanberger said.
She said she planned to speak about what she hears from families across Virginia.
"I know that so much of what I hear from Virginians is similar to what my counterparts in states across the country are hearing about the challenges that people are facing, particularly as it relates to issues of affordability," Spanberger said.
Spanberger's staff said that includes costs around housing, healthcare, and energy.
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) said Spanberger's focus on those issues during last year's campaign helped lead to big Democratic wins in Virginia. Scott said he hoped Spanberger would take Trump to task on issues like ICE operations and tariffs while showing the country what steady, predictable leadership looks like.
"We want to make Virginia and the country understand that this is a very important role that America plays in the world, for world peace, for our economy," Scott said. "I think Abigail Spanberger will restore hope in all Americans with her speech."
Republican State Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Chesterfield) said Trump is working to improve the economy and bring down costs. He said Spanberger should use the opportunity to reach across the aisle to work with federal partners.
"I hope to hear really about an opportunity for working together for Virginians and for America. I suspect it's going to be a lot of anti-Trump rhetoric, but that's not something that I think is going to be helpful or good for the Commonwealth moving us forward when we do have these opportunities to partner with the federal government," Sturtevant said. "Transportation and public safety and many other things that the federal government could work with us on and partner with us on but if there is that antagonistic relationship between Governor Spanberger and the White House, that's ultimately not a good thing for the Commonwealth of Virginia."
When asked earlier about concerns that Trump could punish those who criticize him, Spanberger pushed back.
"I think it's unfortunate that anyone would have a relatively reasonable fear of a punitive president punishing a country, or, excuse me, a state or a community, because someone called out what might be lies or things they say that are untrue," Spanberger said. "So, you know, the fact that Senator Sturtevant said that there could be potentially ramifications of me speaking truth about the President's speech — I don't think he's potentially wrong. But, I will not be afraid and I would hope that the people of Virginia are not afraid of a president who would punish the people of Virginia because their governor disagrees with the president."
Spanberger was not the only one with a response Tuesday night. Virginia House Republicans released a 2-minute recorded message from Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata criticizing ongoing efforts by the Democratic Party to temporarily redraw the state's 11 Congressional maps to give their party an advantage in the upcoming midterms. Democrats have said the move is in response to what Republican states are doing, but Republicans say it undoes the work of a bipartisan redistricting commission approved by voters.
"This isn't about maps. It isn't about party. It's about whether reform means something when it costs you. Institutions only survive when the winners restrain themselves," Tata said.
Watch Spanberger's entire speech in the video player below.
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