Though the news broke on Wednesday morning of the FBI conducting a search of the Portsmouth office of Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas (D), the social media accounts for the normally prolific tweeter and 82-year-old social media troller/crudity machine remained curiously silent.
Even throughout the day, as we learned more about what was going on, including the fact that "other locations" were also being searched, including a cannabis store she co-owns, there was no comment from the same woman who posted in March 2023, the day of Donald Trump's Manhattan grand jury indictment, that "Donald Trump just learned no one is above the law!"
It wasn't until Wednesday evening that Lucas, the ringleader of the Virginia gerrymandering scheme, decided to post a formal statement, and what was especially noteworthy about it was what she left out of it.
Not surprisingly, she played the victim, suggesting - as some of her Democrat colleagues already have - that this was politically motivated:
Today's actions by Federal agents are about far more than one state senator; they are about power and who is allowed to use it on behalf of the people. What we saw fits a clear pattern from this administration: when challenged, they try to intimidate and silence the voices who stand up to them.
Just two weeks ago, Virginians sent a powerful message when they voted to stop Trump's scheme to manipulate the 2026 midterm elections. Voters across this Commonwealth made clear that power belongs with the people, not with politicians who try to take power away from them. I was proud to help lead that effort and I have never been afraid to stand up to Donald Trump or anyone else that has tried to undermine our democracy.
I am deeply grateful for the love and support of my family and friends and for the many colleagues and constituents who have reached out in recent hours. I will have more to say in the days ahead, but know this:
I am not backing down, and I will keep fighting for the people of Portsmouth and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) May 6, 2026
I remain amused when I hear people like Lucas proclaim that their actions are on behalf of the people, despite the fact that their actions in this case could effectively disenfranchise voters in four of the state's congressional districts if the map/referendum holds. But I digress.
Notably absent from the statement was the "yas, kweeen" attitude we typically see on display.
Oh are we not letting the zoomer staffer write the clapback tweets anymore? What happened? https://t.co/J5KUpjd9Xc
— Oilfield Rando (@Oilfield_Rando) May 6, 2026
But that wasn't all. Also left out was any statement related to the federal probe. There was no "I have done nothing wrong," nor any other proclamations of innocence which, in fairness, may have been left out under the advisement of her attorney.
Notably missing from this statement: any refutations of the allegations. No declarations of innocence.
— Chris (@chriswithans) May 6, 2026
It's very much like Jay Jones' arguments in favor of the Spanferendum: a plea to the court that the law doesn't actually matter. https://t.co/Z4UWcYpsLF
Further, there was no mention of the fact that the investigation started under the Biden administration, not the Trump administration:
You’re right @SenLouiseLucas - Biden does have a pattern of using power to intimidate… https://t.co/ZffMoSj8IF pic.twitter.com/GfeCcTvtsF
— Christian Martinez (@CDHMartinez) May 6, 2026
Of course that wasn't included, because it would be so much harder to convince people she was a "victim" if she did.
Definitely looking forward to finding out specifics about the FBI's investigation, because my thought bubble on this is that the fact it started under Biden's reign of error is significant, considering that administration's primary targets typically were political opponents, not Democrats.
If they were actually targeting a prominent and powerful Democrat like Lucas, who has been in office since 1992, that makes me feel like there may be some fire to this smoke.
Stay tuned.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
Please help RedState continue to report on the Democrats’ radicalism and inform voters as our nation faces a crossroads. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member