Abigail Spanberger, the newly elected governor of Virginia, has long been perceived as a mirror image of President Joe Biden, particularly in her unwavering support for his administration's policies during her tenure as a congresswoman.
Her political strategy, akin to Biden's, involved maintaining a low profile, thereby avoiding any explicit disclosure of her left-leaning tendencies.
Now, as the incoming governor of Virginia, Spanberger has demonstrated her alignment with the Biden administration by appointing Stanley Meador, a key figure in the Biden FBI's surveillance of Catholics, as Virginia's new Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
According to RedState, Spanberger was effusive in her praise for Meador during the announcement of his appointment, stating, "I know Mr. Meadors decades of service to our country and our Commonwealth will bring the expertise necessary to protect our citizens, support the brave men and women of law enforcement, and make sure Virginia is a place where every Virginian can safely thrive no matter their zip code."
However, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04) was quick to express his concerns, suggesting that Meador's past actions could potentially compromise the safety of Virginians.
RedState previously reported in 2023 about the Richmond field office's surveillance of Catholics under Meador's leadership. The FBI, drawing on information from the Southern Poverty Law Center, Salon, and The Atlantic, produced a report labeling Catholics, particularly those who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), as "violent extremists."
The report, authored by an "intelligence analyst" at the Richmond Field Office, introduced two new acronyms: Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists (RMVEs) and Radical-Traditionalist Catholics (RTCs). The analyst warned of a significant threat from Catholics who prefer the Latin Mass.
With the Biden administration's tenure over, it has been revealed that the bias against Catholics was more pervasive than initially thought. Earlier this year, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released documents indicating a deep-seated anti-Catholic bias within the Biden FBI, with the agency's top officials attempting to conceal this fact.
Stanley Meador, as the head agent of the field office that produced the initial report, was implicated in this controversy. One of his agents concluded that these so-called "Radical-Traditionalist Catholics" were likely to resort to violence in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, necessitating close monitoring and infiltration of their groups.
Now, under Spanberger's leadership, Meador has been rewarded with a significant role overseeing the safety of all Virginians. Meador expressed his enthusiasm for his new position, stating, Throughout my career, I have been committed to protecting our communities and strengthening the partnerships that keep them safe. As a native Virginian, I look forward to supporting Governor-elect Spanbergers vision with the same dedication, integrity, and commitment that have guided my service for nearly three decades. Together, we will work to serve and protect all the members of our great Commonwealth.
However, this appointment raises concerns for Virginia's Catholic community, who may face a challenging four years under Spanberger's administration.
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