As tradition, the opposition party gave its rebuttal following the President’s State of the Union address.
This year, the speech was given by Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger from Virginia.
In her speech, the newly elected Governor spent most of her time calling out the Trump administration for its immigration polices.
She also claimed that, under Trump, Americans are now in an affordability crisis.
Fox News provided an overview of her speech:
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger slammed President Donald Trump over his mass deportation operations in her official Democratic response to the State of the Union and repeated claims her party favors “affordability” even as the Old Dominion sees scores of new taxes.
Spanberger, elected in November to succeed conservative Gov. Glenn Youngkin, has sought to claim the mantle of “affordability,” even as she and Richmond Democrats move to enact or raise new taxes in multiple forms.
Speaking from the original historic House of Burgesses at the head of Colonial Williamsburg’s Duke of Gloucester Street, Spanberger noted how in 1705, the colony first gathered with the “extraordinary task of governing themselves.”
“The United States was founded on the idea that ordinary people could reject the unacceptable excesses of poor leadership, band together to demand better of their government, and create a nation that would be an example for the world,” she said, contrasting that vision with what Trump has brought.
“Tonight, as we watched our nation’s lawmakers gather for a joint session of Congress, we did not hear the truth from our president,” she said, going on to rhetorically ask three questions:
“Is the President working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the President working to keep Americans safe — both at home and abroad? Is the President working for you?”
Spanberger recounted her 2025 election season, traveling around Virginia and addressing, “housing, healthcare, energy and childcare.”
She blamed Trump’s tariff policies for increasing costs, and claimed it has been Republicans trying to “make your life more expensive.”