Newsletter from The Virginia Council 1/4/26

Dear friends and citizens,

Sometimes you can't tell people the truth, they need to be shown it. Only then will people find the will to change. Unfortunately, in Virginia, not enough people believed that a leftist in ‘moderate’ clothing was a risk to their personal lives. And that the ‘transitory’ inflation that exploded for the four previous years only matters now. Or that reducing fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the federal government unfairly harms those who were complicit in the system.

Yes, I'm concerned about neighbors and friends who have been let go and need to find new jobs. But I've also personally heard federal employees laugh about engaging in the end of the year spending sprees used to keep funding levels high and always climbing, failed or undone audits, and $38.5 Trillion in debt. Our money, our debt, and our children and grandchildren's futures, traded away for fewer freedoms and a growing leviathan state.

There is a primary lesson to be learned from the 250th anniversary of the Declaration Independence, the Constitution and the successful Revolution, it is this: do not give up hope against what appear to be insurmountable odds or nefarious efforts to dismantle government by the people. Our rights are unalienable, not subject to Judicial usurpation, legislative corruption, or administrative sedition. Americans of all persuasions need to be reminded that rights are not things to be taken from others, but freedoms of action, speech, and thought.

The Virginia Council is here to educate, inform, and discuss how unique and vital Virginia was in proclaiming those rights and embedding them in the very fabric of our Constitution for the first time in human history. And they did that in spite of their flaws, not in service to them. In this special year of celebration for our state, nation, and indeed for all mankind, we will continue to ring the bell of liberty for all to hear.

Come join us at our events this year and don't let the Commonwealth's retrograde motion in the rising tide of freedom diminish your energy or optimism. Let's live up to the courage of our ancestors to take action to turn back the tide locally and celebrate nationally. With God's grace we will usher in another 250 years of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Our first event will be an evening meeting to hear from a scholar and relative about Patrick Henry's Red Hill and you can sign up here.

Sincerely,

Will McGurn

Interim President, The Virginia Council

Virginia Government Updates

New Virginia laws go into effect on January 1 impact wages, social media and healthcare By Cameron Thompson

Virginia set to receive $189.5 million from federal Rural Health Transformation Fund, but experts worry about rapid rollout, yearly reassessment and sustainability - Cardinal News By Emily Schabacker

Incoming Democrat Gov. Abigail Spanberger Appoints DEI Director Who Cheered On Dismantling Constitution | The Daily Caller By Ireland Owens

(11) Stu Smith on X: "🚨 Enjoy this supercut of Dr. Sesha Joi Moon, Abigail Spanberger’s pick to be Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Moon’s DEI pitch shape-shifts on command: DEI is “non partisan” and a “Constitutional mandate,” then DEI is being done https://t.co/Q3YGm5rg13" / X

Youngkin says electricity bills will surge if Spanberger rejoins greenhouse gas program By Nick Minock

Richmond-based litigator appointed Spanberger’s counsel to the governor | WRIC ABC 8News By Jessie Nguyen

Virginia lawmakers to reconsider eliminating grocery tax By Ethan Ellis

DOJ sues Virginia over state law governing in-state tuition policy | Just The News By Shirleen Guerra

Miyares makes deal with DOJ instead of taking tuition aid lawsuit to court | WRIC ABC 8News By Ryan Nadeau

Special prosecutor closes investigation into Jay Jones' community service claims By Nick Minock

(10) Katie Miller on X: "This morning in @EDVAnews Lindsey Halligan charged the homicidal maniac that a Liberal Judge in VA set free with possession of a firearm by an alien illegally present in the United States. FAFO https://t.co/Ro9uJB2hd6" / X

Reeves Explains Why He Had to Drop Out of Va. Senate Race By Joe Thomas

Valentine Director Bill Martin killed walking in Richmond By WTVR CBS 6

(10) Governor Glenn Youngkin on X: "CHART OF THE DAY: Virginia is leading in math recovery by raising our expectations and putting targeted resources in place to help students learn. From 2019 to 2021, Virginia saw a huge decrease in math scores, driven by policies that lowered expectations and shuttered schools https://t.co/9SFKXTVPiQ" / X

Articles, News, & Quotes

Life, Liberty & Happiness with Jonathan Turley - The Valentine Museum RSVP for free tickets to see Jonathan Turley

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man"

Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac, December, 1755

(10) David Marcus on X: "Why did I oppose taking down Confederate statues? Because it was never about the Confederacy, progressives have been trying to defame our entire nation’s founding the whole time. And frankly, it was pretty obvious." / X

Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were 'in charge,' memo says | AP News By Eric Tucker

J5 Pipe Bomber Detention Hearing and New Indictment (Possibly) By Just Human

Richmond-based UNOS lays off more employees due to new federal contract | WRIC ABC 8News By Julia Broberg

Lee Enterprises secures $50 million investment with help from billionaire investor | AP News By Josh Funk

Volunteers run an ‘extremely valuable’ part of the juvenile court system. There aren’t enough of them. - Cardinal News By Emma Malinak

ODU launches nutrition institute to reshape medical education and curb chronic disease By Yiqing Wang

President Trump Unveils 'Trump-Class' Battleships By Mike Schuler

Virginia data center boom offers glimpse into US artificial intelligence future By Surina Venkat & Lee Ann Anderson

Phillips: Growing Virginia together — closing the gap between Virginia’s regions - Cardinal News By Delegate Eric Phillips

Fewer Amtrak trains means future progress as a bevy of projects get underway in Virginia By Benton Graham

History, Tradition & the 250th Anniversary of Independence

America's 250th Anniversary Must Honor Our First American By Casey Chalk

10 Facts about the Battle of Princeton | George Washington's Mount Vernon

On This Day: The Tory Act - Washington Examiner By Salena Zito

Majority of parents want to see civil debate taught in high school: Survey | Just The News By Esther Wickham

2025year-endreport.pdf Chief Justice Roberts on Common Sense, The Declaration, and The Constitution at 250 years.

Trump Reveals 50-State Tour to Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday | The Epoch Times By Jacki Thrapp

DEBUNKED: Exposing Every Lie In Ken Burns’ New Anti-American Documentary | Ep. 1698 By Matt Walsh

America250 - Jack Miller Center The Jack Miller Center is a Philadelphia-based educational nonprofit committed to solving the national crisis of uninformed citizenship by teaching America’s founding principles and history.

(10) The War on Beauty on X: "This is actually true. This article from the Atlantic by the former President of Harvard said 2/3rds of her undergrad history class couldn’t read cursive which hindered their ability to read historical manuscripts. She even says students chose research subjects that only https://t.co/8owHrlfaal" / X

Youngkin’s Final Budget Supports Oak Hill Park Plan | News | loudounnow.com By Loudoun Now

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. But this year marked the 250th anniversary of the events that made independence possible. - Cardinal News By Dwayne Yancey

Virginia Museum of History & Culture Reserve tickets to Thomas Paine's Common Sense Commemorative Dinner, Saturday, January 31, at 6:30 pm

(7) U.S. Department of Labor on X: "Remember who you are, American. Through rugged individualism and unparalleled grit, our Forefathers built the greatest nation the world has ever seen. As we celebrate 250 years since our nation’s founding, it’s more important than ever that we honor their achievements and seek https://t.co/1OpG5OhKHR" / X

Events Calendar The Freedom 250 Network is celebrating the Nation’s 250th birthday with events that honor our history.

The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Liberty

(10) America on X: "Congress has no excuse. This is what their constituents want. https://t.co/xPRoH7gp1P" / X

If Independent Agencies Are Unconstitutional, so Is the Fed | The Daily Economy By Alexander W. Salter

(11) NOVA Campaigns on X: "Fairfax Democrats @FairfaxDems are alleging voter fraud for their own primary using… wait for it… ONLINE voting Seems like the same risk to mail-in voting too 🤔 https://t.co/cU6CcD5ZIe" / X

Proposed Virginia gun laws could punish retailers for sales that result in injuries By Liam Bridgeman

Here We Go - First Day of 2026, First Discussion of FISA-702 Reauthorization Surfaces - The Last Refuge By Sundance

(11) Brett Pike on X: "Slavery & monarchy were the norm throughout all of human history, until the European put an end to it & gave the world freedom and Republics. Yet schools teach children that the founding fathers were the villains of history. Now why do you think that is? https://t.co/nyWHkIqY21" / X

Can you pass a U.S. 8th-grade history test? By Prager U

Twisted History

The Federalist Staff’s 2025 Winners And Losers Of The Year

Elle Purnell's winner: Arlington Cemetery's Reconciliation Monument

Help us to stop the further destruction and degradation of our historic past today!

Help us fight for an honest, legal process to determine the fate of these historic pieces of art from Richmond.

Decisions made by the mob are not a democratic process, but tyrannical.

There have been some victories, but Virginia's monuments and history are still at risk of being erased.

PLEASE DONATE HERE

Announcing The Virginia Council Membership Reward Program

Freedom 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).

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