A video clip shared on X by Fox News Sunday has sparked widespread reactions after former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin accused his successor, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, of turning the state into a “sanctuary state on day one.”
The remarks, made during a recent appearance, center on Spanberger’s early executive actions that rolled back Youngkin-era policies requiring state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The post has drawn strong online responses from both supporters and critics of the new governor as Virginia’s immigration debate intensifies.
The clip was shared on X by Fox News Sunday and has gained traction, drawing reactions from users across the platform. In the video, former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin criticizes Gov. Abigail Spanberger, claiming she “turned Virginia into a sanctuary state on day one.” He is referring to Spanberger’s initial executive orders, including one that reversed Youngkin’s previous directive seeking increased state engagement with federal immigration officials.
Spanberger’s administration has maintained that Virginia is not a sanctuary state, while reversing policies that required greater collaboration between state law enforcement and ICE. The original post includes the caption highlighting Youngkin’s accusation.
Responses to Youngkin’s Criticism of Spanberger
Some users supported Youngkin’s criticism, with one writing, “Just like Biden did when he took over, immediately undoing every good thing President Trump did for the American citizen taxpayer. Spanberger is his clone.”
Another added, “It’s chaos in Virginia now. You can’t even go out of the house without being attacked. It’s total lawlessness.”
Others defended Spanberger’s actions and pointed to the election outcome. One commenter stated, “To be clear, voters chose Spanberger because they want Virginia to be a sanctuary state. She is fulfilling a campaign promise. Elections have consequences.”
Some dismissed the remarks entirely, adding, “Stop the propaganda!!!!” and “ZERO people care what he thinks…..ZERO. Virginia is a much better place now!”
The clip is gaining attention for highlighting differences in immigration policy between the two governors’ administrations in the early days of Spanberger’s governorship, reigniting a familiar partisan debate over Virginia’s relationship with federal immigration enforcement.
The video is still being widely shared on X, fueling ongoing partisan arguments over immigration in Virginia. It has become the newest piece of tinder in the handover between the Youngkin and Spanberger eras.
