Today, I’m issuing an executive directive to strengthen the Commonwealth’s cybersecurity and address the threats posed by the rapid development of artificial intelligence. This moment demands leadership, coordination, and a thoughtful path forward to address these serious threats — particularly as we have seen no leadership from this President and his allies in Congress.   This is just the beginning — I’ll continue to leverage my authority as the Governor of Virginia to address potential threats, strengthen our Commonwealth’s security, and prioritize the safety of Virginians.

I have read the charging document alleging a series of criminal acts by a member of the Virginia Senate. In our American system of justice, people are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that is true for Senator L. Louise Lucas. She and her family deserve the opportunity to present their defense and speak to the allegations presented. The timing of this indictment undermines the U.S. Department of Justice’s previously longstanding policy of not taking legal actions — to include indictments or significant investigative steps — close to an election and sadly, this timing further erodes the trust the American people deserve to have in the Department of Justice.