Youngkin Says Spanberger Would End State Cooperation With ICE, Calls Her 'Extreme-Left Liberal'

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Thursday warned voters that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger is not the moderate she portrays and said she would halt state cooperation with federal immigration authorities if elected.

Speaking on Fox & Friends, Youngkin called Spanberger "an extreme-left liberal" and said her campaign is attempting to "package" her as a moderate because, in his view, "she hasn’t said anything yet." Youngkin cited a long-running partnership with the Trump administration and said Virginia law enforcement had arrested more than 4,000 undocumented immigrants, including members of gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as part of cooperative efforts with federal authorities.

Spanberger, a former member of Congress and a former CIA officer, has proposed rescinding a state executive order that grants Virginia law enforcement authority to assist with federal immigration crackdowns. Her campaign argues that the change would restore state-level discretion and protect community trust in local policing, framing it as a public-safety and governance decision rather than an embrace of lax border enforcement.

Youngkin has sought to make immigration a central issue in the race to succeed him, portraying his administration's cooperation with federal immigration authorities as a public safety success and warning that ending that cooperation would put Virginia communities at risk. His comments came as the Republican governor seeks to maintain momentum in what has become a closely watched contest nationally.

Spanberger's campaign has pushed back against Youngkin's characterization, saying she intends to govern from the center of Virginia's electorate and emphasizing her background in national security. Her proposed executive action would undo a policy that state law enforcement officers can assist federal immigration operations, a move she says would prioritize community policing and not immunize individuals from federal immigration enforcement.

The campaign added another tactical wrinkle this week when reports indicated that Spanberger declined an invitation from CNN to debate her Republican opponent. The campaign did not provide additional public comment on the debate decision in the immediate aftermath.

The gubernatorial contest in Virginia has drawn national attention as a barometer for broader political dynamics ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Both campaigns have highlighted contrasting approaches to crime, immigration and public safety, with Youngkin emphasizing partnership with federal authorities and Spanberger stressing community policing and state discretion.

Political analysts say control of the governor's office in Virginia carries immediate policy implications for the state and symbolic weight for both parties. Youngkin's characterization of Spanberger as an "extreme-left liberal" is consistent with a broader Republican strategy to frame Democratic nominees as outside the mainstream, while Spanberger's service in Congress and intelligence work informs her insistence that she is a pragmatic, security-focused candidate.

As the campaign progresses, voters will weigh the competing portrayals and specific policy proposals, including whether to maintain the executive order that allows state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Both campaigns are expected to continue emphasizing public safety as a central theme in the final months before the election.