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Virginia voters were told they were electing a pragmatic moderate when Abigail Spanberger ran for governor, but her first week in office tells a very different story. Spanberger was sworn in on January 17, 2026, and wasted no time signing a slate of executive actions that signal a sharp leftward turn. Hardworking Virginians who voted for stability deserve to know exactly what they just inherited.
On day one the new governor signed multiple executive orders, including one that ends state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement — a move conservatives rightly call reckless and dangerous. That decision was coupled with a broader flurry of orders aimed squarely at rolling back the last administration’s priorities, and it was predictable that national figures would pounce on what they see as a betrayal of public safety. Voters were promised moderation; what they received instead was executive activism.
Spanberger openly announced plans to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, arguing it will fund flood mitigation and energy-efficiency programs. The governor’s office insists RGGI will bring “hundreds of millions” back into state coffers for grants and programs, but the obvious trade-off is new costs baked into energy bills and business overhead. When politicians talk about saving you money by creating new subsidies and markets, taxpayers should be skeptical — that money comes from your paycheck in the form of higher utility bills or hidden fees.
Beyond RGGI, the policy wishlist being floated by the new majority reads like a progressive wish list that will squeeze ordinary Virginians: proposals to raise taxes on services, new fees, bans on common landscaping tools, and even novel levies on firearms accessories. These are the sorts of “affordability” solutions that sound compassionate onstage but translate into higher costs for small businesses, gig workers, and middle-class families who can’t swallow another tax. When the left promises help, ask which paycheck is paying for it.
Democrats didn’t just win the governor’s mansion; they swept the legislature and now have the power to redraw maps and push through long-term changes fast. Spanberger’s team has already signaled interest in redistricting and other structural moves that could lock in one-party rule in Richmond for years to come. This isn’t governance by consensus — it’s consolidation of power, and Virginians who value competition and accountability should be alarmed.
The consequences for law enforcement cooperation and public safety cannot be overstated. Federal and local partners now face new hurdles that critics warn will make communities less safe and impede efforts to combat trafficking and violent crime. Conservatives aren’t just making partisan noise; they’re sounding a genuine alarm about the practical effects of stripping tools from those sworn to protect us.
This is a moment for everyday Americans to pay attention, organize, and hold their representatives accountable at the ballot box and in their local communities. Don’t be duped by campaign branding — results matter more than promises, and the results coming out of Richmond are clear: higher costs, weaker law enforcement partnerships, and a consolidating party machine. If you love your family and the values that built this commonwealth, now is the time to stand up and make your voice heard.
