Johnathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, reported that Abigail Spanberger urged her supporters to “let your rage fuel you” during her campaign event as the Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee. This statement was made on X.
“Let your rage fuel you,” said Turley. “Those words from Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger captured what I have called “rage politics” in America. Across the country, politicians and pundits are fueling rage, encouraging voters to embrace it.”
According to Breitbart News, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) reiterated this message during a June campaign stop in Henrico, Virginia. The remarks, captured on video and circulated widely on social media, drew criticism from Republican opponents who argued that the phrase promoted political hostility. Breitbart’s report noted that Spanberger’s campaign did not retract or clarify the comment, which became a flashpoint in discussions about tone and civility in the 2025 Virginia governor’s race.
In an op-ed for The Hill published in October 2025, constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley categorized Spanberger’s statement as an example of “rage politics.” He argued that such language risks normalizing antagonism and can lead to contagion effects where emotional mobilization replaces rational discourse. Citing historical examples of political radicalization, Turley warned that emotional escalation within partisan rhetoric has measurable links to threats and acts of political violence.
A Fox News report said that Virginia Republican Delegate Kim Taylor received a death threat following media coverage of Spanberger’s comment. Taylor alleged the rhetoric contributed to a hostile climate, referencing earlier acts of political violence, including the 2017 congressional baseball shooting and the 2024 attempt on former President Donald Trump. The article reported that law enforcement investigated the threat as part of a broader rise in politically motivated intimidation against public officials.
According to WJLA ABC 7News, Virginia Delegate Geary Higgins also received a death threat classified under Virginia law as a Class 6 felony. Higgins attributed the incident to increasingly vitriolic campaign rhetoric and referenced Spanberger’s statement as emblematic of the broader tone. The report noted that authorities arrested a suspect and that the case added to growing bipartisan concern about threats against state lawmakers.
Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, specializing in constitutional law, criminal law, and torts. He has authored over 36 academic articles and books including “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” His next book, “Rage and the Republic,” is forthcoming. Turley has represented clients in major cases involving whistleblowers and Congress members while challenging federal and state laws. He appears on NBC, CBS, and Fox News, writes for USA Today and The Washington Post, and maintains a top legal blog. Turley holds degrees from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.
