Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is drawing scrutiny after she highlighted anti-ICE school protests in her rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. The newly-elected governor praised the actions of hundreds of students in Virginia and other states who skipped class—some facing suspension—to protest federal immigration enforcement.
Spanberger pointed to the demonstrations as evidence of student engagement, citing the “determination” of young people who “demand more from their government.” But several of the walkouts have been tied to organized activist efforts rather than spontaneous student action. In Georgia, the Party for Socialism and Liberation hosted seminars instructing teachers and students on how to coordinate walkouts and other protest tactics.
In Virginia, one school suspended 323 students for participating in a protest. The disruptions come as educators and policymakers continue to grapple with lingering academic setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spanberger, who has described herself as a pragmatic Democrat, previously centered her gubernatorial campaign on academic recovery. She criticized state leaders after Virginia ranked 51st in math recovery scores, pledging to reverse pandemic-related setbacks.
“As governor, I will work to make sure our school divisions, our schools, and our teachers have the funding and support staff they need to challenge our students and tackle learning loss—because I know that the success of Virginia’s next generation depends on the strength of our schools,” Spanberger said.
Her endorsement of student protests that remove teenagers from classrooms, however, presents a political contrast. Supporters argue the walkouts reflect civic participation. Critics counter that encouraging class absences undermines efforts to address learning loss and restore academic rigor.
As immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint issue nationwide, Spanberger’s walkout praise signals how Democratic leaders may continue aligning with activist stunts—even when it collides with classroom priorities.
