Tuesday night’s State of the Union address is shaping up to be one of the most politically charged moments in recent American history. As President Donald Trump prepares to speak before Congress and the nation at 9 p.m. EST, all eyes are not only on his message but also on the response from Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, who is set to deliver the official Democratic rebuttal from Colonial Williamsburg.
This year’s State of the Union comes at a time of deep national division and uncertainty. According to IBTimes, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s sweeping tariff policy just three days before the address, ruling that the administration had exceeded its authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “When Congress grants the power to impose tariffs, it does so clearly and with careful constraints. It did neither here.” The ruling affects more than $130 billion collected from importers, and the Court left open the question of whether that money will be refunded to businesses and consumers. In response, Trump called the decision “a disgrace” and quickly signed a new 10% global tariff, set to take effect hours before his speech.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been unfunded since February 14, leaving 260,000 federal employees without pay. As IBTimes reports, this funding lapse was triggered by a fatal incident involving immigration agents and subsequent demands for reform from Senate Democrats. The impacts are already being felt: Global Entry processing has been suspended at all participating airports, and while TSA PreCheck remains active, officials warn that staffing shortages could change that as spring break approaches.
Amid these crises, President Trump faces sagging approval ratings. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released Saturday found that 60% of Americans disapprove of his job performance, matching his lowest mark since the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Public dissatisfaction is particularly high on issues like inflation (65% disapprove), tariffs (64% disapprove), and immigration (approval dropped from 49% to 38% since March).
The political tension is palpable even within the Democratic Party. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave his caucus a choice: attend the State of the Union in “silent defiance” or boycott it altogether. At least 15 Democratic lawmakers have chosen to skip the event, instead appearing at a “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall. Still, the official Democratic response will be delivered by Abigail Spanberger, whose profile has been steadily rising since her decisive victory in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race.
Spanberger, sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor on January 17, 2026, defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by nearly 16 points, securing almost 58% of the vote according to NewsNation. Her win ended years of Republican control in Richmond and has made her a figure to watch as Democrats look to appeal to swing voters ahead of the midterms, now just nine months away.
But who is Abigail Spanberger, and why has she been chosen for this critical role? Her background is as compelling as it is unconventional. As Fox News and NewsNation recount, Spanberger began her career as a substitute teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia, from 2002 to 2003. While her time at the academy became a point of controversy during her first congressional campaign—critics dubbed it “Terror High” due to some alumni’s later involvement with al-Qaeda—Spanberger was transparent about her employment, disclosing it during her background checks for federal security clearances. She received two such clearances, first for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, where she worked on money laundering and narcotics cases, and then for the CIA.
Spanberger joined the CIA in July 2006 as a case officer, responsible for recruiting and managing foreign nationals who could provide valuable intelligence to the United States. She remained with the agency until 2014, eventually working in clandestine services and overseas operations. After her CIA service, Spanberger entered the private sector, consulting for colleges and universities at Royall & Company (now part of EAB), and later was appointed to the Virginia Fair Housing Board by then-Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2017.
Her political ascent began in earnest after the 2016 presidential election. Spanberger worked with Emerge America, a nonprofit supporting Democratic women seeking office, and by July 2017, she announced her run for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District. In 2018, she unseated Republican incumbent Dave Brat by about 2%, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district since the 1970s and the first woman ever elected there. Spanberger’s approach set her apart from the more progressive newcomers of her class—like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar—by focusing on pragmatic solutions and national security. She and four other Democratic women with national security backgrounds formed a group known as “The Badasses,” a moniker that stuck even as most have since moved on to other roles or left Congress.
Spanberger served three terms in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025, choosing not to seek reelection in 2023 so she could run for governor. Her moderate stances and experience in intelligence have made her a favorite among party strategists looking to broaden the Democratic appeal in battleground states. As Fox News notes, “Spanberger is seen as a strategic choice to appeal to swing voters for the 2026 midterm elections.”
In her statement last week, Spanberger addressed the challenges facing Americans: “Virginians and Americans nationwide are contending with rising costs, chaos in their communities and a real fear of what each day might bring. I look forward to laying out what these Americans expect and deserve—leaders who are working hard to deliver for them.” (NewsNation)
Her response is expected to focus on pocketbook issues, government accountability, and the need for steady leadership amid uncertainty abroad and at home. With the Pentagon deploying its largest Middle East force since the 2003 Iraq invasion—two carrier strike groups, more than 120 combat aircraft, and advanced missile systems—Trump has given Iran a tight deadline for a nuclear deal. “We’re either going to get a deal, or it’s going to be unfortunate for them,” the president said last Thursday. Yet, with indirect talks in Geneva stalled, anxiety is high for the many American families with loved ones deployed overseas.
As the nation tunes in to both the president’s address and Spanberger’s rebuttal, the stakes could hardly be higher. For many voters, the question isn’t just who offers the best vision for America’s future, but who can deliver stability in the face of mounting economic and geopolitical challenges.
With the midterms looming and confidence in Washington at a low ebb, Tuesday’s speeches promise to set the tone for the political battles ahead. Both Trump and Spanberger have much to prove—and millions of Americans will be watching closely to see what comes next.