I don’t usually post fundraising emails, but I’m making an exception in this case because it’s a very good one on a crucial topic (how “This isn’t just about California. If a president can unilaterally override state sovereignty when it suits his political agenda, no state is safe. Today it’s California. Tomorrow it could be Virginia.”) by VA Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. Check it out. and as Sen. Surovell says, let’s make sure that “Virginia will not stand by silently while our constitutional system is undermined,” and that we make sure that we continue to “live under constitutional government,” NOT “authoritarian rule.”
P.S. Of course, Virginia left the Union to defend slavery, and also declared “Massive Resistance” to school desegregation efforts, so we certainly haven’t “always been at the forefront of defending constitutional principles.” All the more reason to do so TODAY!
|
A Constitutional Crisis in California: It Could Hit Virginia Next This weekend, President Trump made the unprecedented decision to federalize California’s National Guard and deploy 4,000 troops to Los Angeles without the request or consent of Governor Gavin Newsom. This marks the first time since 1965 that a president has unilaterally deployed National Guard troops over a governor’s objections – but there’s a crucial difference. In 1965, President Johnson federalized the Alabama National Guard to protect civil rights protesters marching from Selma to Montgomery. Trump deployed troops against protesters exercising their constitutional rights. |
 |
Image credit: Jae Hong/AP |
|
The Stark Double Standard What makes this particularly troubling is the glaring contrast with Trump’s response during the January 6th insurrection. When our nation’s Capitol was under attack and democracy itself was threatened, Trump delayed for hours before authorizing National Guard deployment. Police officers were beaten, our elected officials were in hiding, and the peaceful transfer of power was under siege – yet the response was delayed and insufficient. But now, for immigration protests in Los Angeles – where local authorities had the situation under control and explicitly said federal military intervention was unnecessary – Trump immediately deployed thousands of troops and threatened to send 700 Marines. Why This Matters for Virginia This isn’t just about California. If a president can unilaterally override state sovereignty when it suits his political agenda, no state is safe. Today it’s California. Tomorrow it could be Virginia. As your state senator, I’ve taken an oath to defend our Constitution and protect the rights of Virginians. This federal overreach:
Virginia Must Lead the Resistance Virginia has always been at the forefront of defending constitutional principles. From Thomas Jefferson to today, we’ve stood against government overreach. California Governor Newsom is filing a lawsuit, but we need a unified response from state leaders across the nation. I will work with my colleagues in Richmond to:
I Need Your Support Standing up to federal overreach isn’t easy, and it’s not cheap. I need resources to:
Will you contribute $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can to help defend our constitutional rights? Every dollar you contribute helps ensure that Virginia remains a beacon of constitutional governance and that no president – regardless of party – can trample on our state’s sovereignty. The Bottom Line When President Trump needed to protect our democracy on January 6th, he hesitated. This isn’t about immigration policy or protest management – it’s about whether we live under constitutional government or authoritarian rule. Virginia will not stand by silently while our constitutional system is undermined. But I need your help to make our voice heard. |
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
