Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered a pointed critique of President Donald Trump during her Democratic response to his State of the Union address on February 25, 2024. Speaking from Historic Williamsburg, she argued that Trump is not working in the best interests of the American people but instead prioritizing his own financial gain. Spanberger emphasized the upcoming opportunity for Americans to “reject the unacceptable and demand more of their government.”
In a 15-minute address, Spanberger refrained from directly naming the president while criticizing his record. Trump had just concluded a lengthy address to Congress, where he touted the U.S. economy and proclaimed that the country was “back, bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before.” Spanberger countered this optimism, asserting that Trump had failed to provide tangible solutions to significant challenges facing the nation.
She accused the president of employing tactics that divide rather than unite the country. “He lied, he scapegoated and he distracted,” Spanberger stated, adding that Trump’s claims about American wealth under his administration contradicted reality. A report from the Joint Economic Committee estimated that American families have faced over $1,700 in tariff costs since Trump’s presidency began, costs that she argued have burdened small businesses and farmers.
Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down some of Trump’s tariffs, Spanberger highlighted the lasting impact of these policies. She indicated that the potential for new tariffs continues to threaten economic stability, stating, “They’re making your life harder. They’re making your life more expensive.”
Spanberger also addressed national safety, criticizing Trump’s aggressive anti-immigration policies. She recounted instances in which armed federal agents conducted operations in cities like Minneapolis, leading to the detention of numerous migrants. Emphasizing her background as a former CIA agent, Spanberger described these actions as reckless and poorly managed, with tragic consequences, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens.
“The United States’ broken immigration system needs reform, not the terrorizing of our communities by unaccountable agents,” she asserted. Spanberger further claimed that Trump’s foreign policy has diminished America’s standing globally. She accused him of yielding economic and technological advantages to countries like Russia and China, while also suggesting that his actions have escalated tensions with Iran.
Spanberger posed a critical question: if Trump’s policies do not benefit the American people, who do they serve? She pointed to the president and his close associates, describing the current landscape of corruption as unprecedented. “This is not what our founders envisioned,” she remarked, referencing various controversies surrounding Trump’s administration.
Delivering her rebuttal from behind a lectern at the House of Burgesses, a historic symbol of self-governance, Spanberger invoked the ideals of democratic leadership. She referenced the warnings of George Washington about the dangers posed by “cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men,” while calling on Americans to unite for a common purpose.
In her closing remarks, Spanberger emphasized the agency of the American public. “We the people have the power to make change, the power to stand up for what is right, the power to demand more of our nation,” she concluded. Although she did not specifically mention the upcoming midterm elections, the call to action resonated as a reminder of the potential for political change in the near future.
