Heciel Nieves Bonilla, News Editor
Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor
Abigail Spanberger was sworn-in Saturday afternoon as the first female governor in Virginia’s over 400-year-old history during a rainy inauguration ceremony in Richmond.
The inauguration saw thousands of Virginians crowd downtown Capitol Square and was bookended by Spanberger signing 10 executive orders to address affordability issues, revamp university boards of visitors and rescind ICE cooperation established under former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, among other issues.
Joining Spanberger, newly-sworn-in Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi is the first Muslim and Asian American to hold statewide office anywhere in the U.S., and Attorney General Jay Jones is the first Black Virginian to hold his position.
“I stand before those who made it possible for women to also participate in that peaceful transfer of power and take that oath,” Spanberger said during her inaugural speech. “It is with a profound sense of duty to all Virginians that I assume the governorship, and pledge myself to work tirelessly on behalf of our Commonwealth.”
Executive orders on affordability, university boards, immigration and more
Spanberger’s first order of business as the 75th governor of Virginia was to order her secretaries and all executive branch agencies to submit reports within 90 days identifying immediate, actionable budgetary, regulatory or policy changes that would reduce costs for Virginians.
The order specifically named housing, healthcare, energy, education, childcare and everyday living expenses like groceries as areas to tackle — in theme with Spanberger’s speech and the campaign she ran for governor.
Four of Spanberger’s orders directed her administration, state agencies or new task forces to create plans that would strengthen health care infrastructure, streamline housing construction and respond to federal workforce layoffs under the Trump administration by protecting programs like SNAP and Medicaid.
Another order sought to improve literacy and mathematics scores for k-12 students. It directed state leaders to support local school divisions through clear guidance, actionable data, technical assistance and policies that promote accessibility, prevent discrimination, close opportunity gaps, and support student well-being.
Spanberger’s order with perhaps the highest chance to impact VCU directed the Virginia Department of Education to review and evaluate the process for appointing members to boards of visitors — the highest governing bodies at public universities in Virginia.
Throughout 2025, Virginia Democrats heavily scrutinized the boards of visitors at George Mason University, Virginia Military Institute and the University of Virginia for failing to protect their schools from President Donald Trump’s threats to university leaders and crackdowns on diversity initiatives.
Hours after the inauguration festivities, Spanberger appointed large swaths of new members to the boards of GMU, VMI and UVA — flipping control of the schools on day one of her administration. A member of Spanberger’s transition team previously indicated VCU or other schools are unlikely to receive the same treatment.
The order requires a report with recommendations to the governor on potential legislative or policy changes to terms, reappointments, start dates and the evaluation process for appointees.
Spanberger signed two orders giving executive authority to the governor’s chief of staff — for her, Bonnie Krenz-Schnurman — when they are unreachable, unattainable or incapacitated. One allows for the declaration of a state of emergency and the summoning of the Virginia national guard. The other gives planning, budgetary, personnel and administrative authority.
Another order established a policy across state agencies prohibiting discrimination in employment, appointments, procurement and public services. It requires ongoing review and updates of state policies to ensure compliance, with disciplinary consequences for violations.
Lastly, Spanberger rescinded a directive by former Republican Gov. Youngkin that required all state and local law enforcement agencies to cooperate and assist with ICE operations.
A new chapter for Virginia
Inauguration attendee Mark Carter said he came to the ceremony to witness the historic firsts brought about by Spanberger’s, Hashmi’s and Jones’ swearing-in.
“2025 was a divisive year for our country and the commonwealth, so I’m hoping she has a message of unity, a message of toughness — that they’re going to fight back against the bad things coming from Washington — and just a vision for the future,” Carter said.
Spanberger’s rise to power came during a tumultuous time in Virginia — one marred by federal job losses, a rising cost of living and statewide disapproval with the Trump administration’s actions on the economy and immigration.
Spanberger made no direct references to Trump in her speech, but did not mince words. She emphasized serving “everyday Virginians, not kings or aristocrats or oligarchs.”
“You are worried about an administration that is gilding buildings while schools crumble, breaking the social safety net, and sowing fear across our communities — betraying the values of who we are as Americans, the very values we celebrate here on these steps,” Spanberger said.
Spanberger made frequent note of Virginia’s role in America and world history. She referenced the Revolutionary War, civil rights struggles and Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1960 speech in Richmond.
“Today, I find myself thinking about Dr. King’s pilgrimage of prayer … such a powerful phrase,” Spanberger said. “And it gives me cause to reflect on what our path forward must be … not a pilgrimage of politics, certainly not a pilgrimage of partisanship… but rather a pilgrimage of promise, progress, and prosperity.
She referenced multiple governors in Virginia history, all the way from founding fathers Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson to living history and VCU governor school namesake Douglas Wilder — who attended the ceremony on his 95th birthday.
Spanberger is entering her term amid deep tensions as Trump enters the second year of his second term.
“My fellow Virginians, as we set an example for the country, the world, and most importantly, our children, let us choose to stand united,” Spanberger said, closing out her address. “Choose to serve one another. Choose to act together. As we continue forward, let us be united for Virginia’s future.”
Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s full inaugural address is readable here.