This move is yet another reminder that Trump has no respect for the men and women who serve our country. His attempts to undermine federal agencies like the CIA is not just reckless — it’s dangerous. These Virginians are not just bureaucrats — they are dedicated professionals working day in and day out to keep America safe, often at great personal sacrifice.

As a former CIA case officer who worked undercover my entire time at the agency, I didn’t care who our president was or the political views of my colleagues. It didn’t matter. We were focused on the mission — keeping the American people safe. Now, I’m watching as the White House attacks the service and integrity of these public servants.

Protecting America’s national security shouldn’t be a partisan issue, and we can’t afford to let partisan politics infiltrate the crucial work done by our intelligence community every single day. But this news goes even beyond that. We’re watching in real time as Donald Trump and his allies unravel the security systems we’ve built over decades to keep us safe. And he’s doing it in a way that degrades the men and women — many of whom live in Virginia — who put their lives on the line to do this work.

Every hour, Donald Trump comes out swinging with more chaos. It’s become hard to keep up with — but all of it is so terrible, and we can’t stay silent. This chaos is what compelled me to first run for Congress. I feel personally called to speak out here because I know how much our national security professionals — at the CIA and elsewhere — put on the line to keep us safe.

Thank you,

Abigail Spanberger