Dear friends and fellow citizens, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 January 1816 “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.” From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 8 January 1789 I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases. The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first. Letter to William Ludlow, September 6, 1824. This week we celebrate the 249th anniversary of the Fourth of July and the founding of our Republic. A government rooted in classical forms that for the first time in history exalted the sanctity and dignity of citizens as the rightful controllers of their own political destiny. A representative democracy where power inherent in the people is ceded to government for as long as the elected & appointed ‘public servants’ serve the best interests of We the People. And how do we know when our government is trampling on our rights? From the press, invoked in the First Amendment with the same inalienable rights of free expression as citizens. However, when government power is not challenged by legacy media, but they are actually paid to promote, or silenced when opposing the narrative of the powerful and entrenched, where do you go for the truth? Or at least free voices unencumbered by slavish devotion to the ‘current wisdom’? We hope at The Virginia Council that you'll dive into the stories we share each week from a variety of sources to come to your own conclusions about the challenges we face as a participatory democracy. Apathy is no longer an option for those who care about the first principles exalted by the Declaration of Independence; and our first duty to preserve our freedoms is to be well informed. Read, decide, and act on your convictions. We need to re-engage in civic affairs to return power to the citizens of the United States so we can flourish as a free people for another 250 years. God bless the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia!  Will McGurn Interim President, The Virginia Council “It’s not just about hot dogs and furniture sales! In the latest episode of “Office Hours,” Khalil Habib, associate professor of politics, discusses early Americans’ celebrations of the Fourth of July. Habib teaches the viewer about a lost tradition of public speeches that explain and celebrate the Declaration of Independence, arguing that present-day Americans should reacquaint themselves with our founding documents.” Watch This Before July 4 | Office Hours, Ep. 16 Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives  Virginia Election Updates: The Republican statewide ticket announces plans to appear together for the first time | WVTF By Michael Pope Spanberger, Hashmi advocate in Charlottesville for abortion access By Hannah Davis-Reid 19 Virginia sheriffs endorse Miyares over Democrat Jones in attorney general race | Fox News By Deirdre Heavey Earle-Sears and Spanberger ditch a Virginia tradition. Will they even debate at all? - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Spanberger pushes back against Mamdani comparisons - Washington Examiner By Mabinty Quarshie Connolly posthumously boosts former chief of staff in VA election By Annabella Rosciglione $105K Donated To GOP Candidate For Governor By Tysons Casino Backer | Fairfax City, VA Patch By Michael O'Connell Miyares, Jones battle in Virginia AG race for November election | 13newsnow.com By Janet Roach National Democrats pour $1M into Jay Jones’ bid to flip Virginia AG seat • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Ebbin and Henson respond to Reid opposing amendment to repeal defunct same-sex marriage ban By Brandon Jarvis State offers funds for farm conservation programs; more ... - Cardinal News Democrats pour $400K into Virginia House races as key battlegrounds emerge • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods Virginia Democrats target Trump in race to replace Gerry Connolly in Congress By Dylan Ebs Virginia slashes voter data costs ahead of 2025 elections • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill on Running for Governor Together By Mattie Kahn Anti-abortion group targets Democrats to stop Virginia's reproductive rights constitutional amendment By Charlotte Rene Woods Richmond-based election forecaster finds a niche with state legislative contests By Michael Phillips Some, but not all, 11th District GOP candidates condemn ‘theatrics’ of DOGE cuts | FFXnow By Jared Serre Clean Virginia backs entire Democratic statewide ticket By Anna Bryson 25 more places on the western side of the state that Spanberger and Earle-Sears should visit for policy lessons - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey Volunteers for The Virginia Council Time to make a difference! We're looking for folks to help with events, marketing, membership, and communications. Help us to carry on Virginia's historic pursuit of truth in freedom through education and dialog.  To volunteer your services, click here. To support us with a donation, click here. Virginia Assembly, Senate & Governor updates: UVA president resigns amid pressure from Trump administration - POLITICO By Katherine Long University of Virginia president James Ryan resigns in wake of Trump administration pressure over DEI policies By Victor Nava (2) Brick Suit on X: "Harmeet Dhillon (@AAGDhillon) was on Jake Tapper's show this evening laying out the backstory of how continued illegal practices at UVA imperiled UVA's federal funding and led to UVA President Jim Ryan's resignation today. Her interview below is well worth the watch 👍 https://t.co/dLlR5444sk" / X The Jefferson Council on X: "PRESS RELEASE: On the Resignation of Jim Ryan https://t.co/jy4zDRtH4s" / X Democratic campaign operative pleads guilty to embezzlement By Robert Schmad Governor weighs in on regional water service issues as localities agree to meet - Richmond BizSense By Jonathan Spiers ‘Hallowed ground, desecrated’: ICE sweeps at Chesterfield court draw fierce backlash • Virginia Mercury By Markus Schmidt ACLU considers legal action after ICE detentions at Virginia courthouses | Courthouse News Service By Joe Dodson (1) NOVA Campaigns on X: "Arrested by @ICEgov: Salvadoran Bryan Arias Chicas was captured in Harrisonburg, VA. Charged with child abuse/neglect, carrying a concealed weapon, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor" / X Governor responds after ICE detains multiple people at Chesterfield courthouse By WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff Protestors rally outside Chesterfield courthouse as ICE enters fourth day of detainments By Victoria A. Ifatusin Senator Warner demands cost analysis for HUD move to Alexandria, raises concerns about NSF displacement | ALXnow By Ryan Belmore Senate fails to advance Iran War Powers resolution | CNN Politics By Morgan Rimmer Youngkin signs law expanding school transportation options By WDBJ Staff VCU lobbying for additional state support for VMSDEP tuition waivers By Megan Pauly Deeds, Youngkin react to BOV appointees lawsuit | News | cbs19news.com By Sarah Allen State Senate Democrats sue Youngkin officials in latest institutional push By Jahd Khalil Virginia Bar Association cancels gubernatorial debate | Virginia Lawyers Weekly By Jason Boleman A rewrite of the Clean Economy Act seems increasingly likely. This may pose hard questions on all sides. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey New Virginia laws going into effect on 7/1/25 By Anna Chen  Articles, News, & Quotes: Virginia Museum of History & Culture July 4th Naturalization Ceremony The naturalization ceremony is held in partnership with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). We almost ran out of power this week. Meanwhile, Congress is trying to make it harder to get new power onto the grid. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey 13-year-old cancer patient DJ Daniel becomes honorary Virginia state trooper By WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff Richmond election officials appear not to have enforced finance disclosure mandates By David M. Poole Richmond woman says city kept tax credit without telling her, won't issue refund By Tyler Layne 10 students touring Virginia Tech campus fall through collapsed grate By Robert Locklear (6) The Jefferson Council on X: "The Morgan Bettinger case is one of the saddest examples of fear and retribution during the current UVA administration. Bettinger's academic record remains tarnished to this day. Even @TheFIREorg tried to intervene and explain that Bettinger was protected under the First https://t.co/CHOW6D84nl" / X Despite tough challenge, don’t underestimate Earle-Sears • Virginia Mercury By Roger Chesley HUD plans move to Alexandria, booting National Science Foundation from headquarters - WTOP News By Jessica Kronzer Arlington's controversial 'missing middle' housing policy to stay in place following court ruling | FOX 5 DC By Tisha Lewis Audit finds ‘significant weaknesses’ with Richmond’s government purchasing cards By Graham Moomaw Grand jury refuses to indict UVa student accused of antisemitic hate crime By Hawes Spencer Wet spring keeps Virginia crops growing despite early summer’s blazing heat • Virginia Mercury By Shannon Heckt Why Google's data center project in Botetourt gets applause while others don't and how the planning for it began long before the web even existed - Cardinal News By Dawyne Yancey Virginia tobacco farmers are footing the bill for foreign competitors. This needs to end. - Cardinal News By Eric Phillips Ospreys are facing 'nearly complete collapse' on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, researchers say By Katherine Hafner  Interviews & Videos of Interest Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration on X: "America. Made in Virginia. 🇺🇸 Of the thirteen original colonies, none played as fundamental a role as Virginia in the formation of our country. From the ideas that inspired it, to the battlefields that decided it, there is simply no America without it. (a thread 🧵 ) https://t.co/YBvIxAYRmk" / X FPSeg4_JOHNREID_60225.mp4 - Google Drive Chanel Rion of @OANN chats with John Reid, candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Virginia Political Newsletter | Brandon Jarvis | Substack Talking ICE in Chesterfield with Brad Kutner No Sun. No Soil. No Problem. Vertical Farming in Rural Virginia | Podcast Episode on RSS.com By Dutchie Jessee PODCAST: The Tribe, episode 4 (Medicine Wheel) - Fredericksburg Free Press By FFP Staff Hampton’s Revolution: through the experiences and decisions of 24 who lived it By Nick McNamara - Museum exhibit aligns with the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Hampton, the first Revolutionary War fight south of Massachusetts. The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty Commentary from Higgins: Protecting Girls’ Opportunities in Sports is not Discrimination. It’s Justice. By Del. Geary Higgins, R-Loudoun US Supreme Court lets challenge to Virginia lifetime ban on felon voting proceed | Reuters By John Kruzel Electoral college reform group eyes Virginia’s elections with hope • Virginia Mercury By Charlotte Rene Woods Richmond Billed Over $100,000 MORE in April & May by Private Law Firm in FOIA Whistleblower Case By Josh Stanfield The Virginia Council has been blessed with unwavering support from the community since its founding a few years ago. And we decided to add some new ways to thank you for your ongoing assistance in our efforts to educate and inform Virginians. "Announcing The Virginia Council membership reward program. Sign up today on our website for the various levels of support!" Member level: Simple membership is free when you sign up for our email newsletter or attend a monthly meeting. Liberty level: For an annual contribution of $100 you get the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings and a commemorative Virginia Council lapel pin. Patriot level: When you step up to make an annual contribution of $250 you receive first access to tickets to our annual Christmas and Patriot Parties, the commemorative Virginia Council pin, and the newsletter and monthly meeting access. President's Council level: For a commitment of $1000 you receive the newsletter, access to our monthly meetings, 2 lapel pins, 2 invitations to both of our annual parties, and 2 VIP tickets to one Virginia Forum lecture of your choice. We hope you'll find these rewards an added incentive to help fund our efforts to restore a full view of Virginia's history, monuments & role that government plays in our lives. We appreciate all your support and encouragement and look forward to bringing you more compelling voices of liberty, freedom, and conscience over the next year. To become a Liberty, Patriot, or President's Council member, please make a contribution here. To volunteer, click here. The Executive Board of the Virginia Council If you are interested in donating appreciated securities, we now have an account to make it easy for you (see the information below). Contact us HERE for more details.  The Virginia Council Preserving Virginia’s history and creating a more prosperous future for all Virginians. Stay Hopeful. Stay Connected. P. O. Box 5 Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103, United States |
