Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Glenn Youngkin

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Glenn Youngkin.

Glenn Youngkin is an American businessman and politician currently serving as the 74th Governor of Virginia since 2022. As a Republican, his prior experience includes a 25-year career at The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, where he rose to become co-CEO in 2018. Youngkin resigned from his position in 2020 to pursue his career in politics, eventually leading to his successful run for governor.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2016: McAuliffe Vetoes the "Beloved Bill"

In 2016, the "Beloved Bill", which had originated when a conservative activist took issue with the inclusion of Beloved in her high school senior son's AP English class, was vetoed by McAuliffe. The "Beloved Bill" allows school parents throughout Virginia to review and opt their children out of any educational material containing "sexually explicit content".

Beloved: Pulitzer Prize Winner (Vintage International)

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2017: McAuliffe Vetoes the "Beloved Bill"

In 2017, the "Beloved Bill", which had originated when a conservative activist took issue with the inclusion of Beloved in her high school senior son's AP English class, was vetoed by McAuliffe. The "Beloved Bill" allows school parents throughout Virginia to review and opt their children out of any educational material containing "sexually explicit content".

Beloved: Pulitzer Prize Winner (Vintage International)

Check it on Amazon

2020: Addressed Legitimacy of Biden's Election

Before the Republican convention, Glenn Youngkin acknowledged that Biden was president but would not clearly say whether he thought the president was fairly elected. He later began acknowledging that Biden's election was legitimate. The events occurred during the 2020 presidential election.

2020: United States Elections

During the 2022 United States elections, Youngkin campaigned for Republicans in other states, supporting both candidates who had embraced Trump's false claims about the 2020 election and those who had not. This led to The Washington Post writing that Youngkin had "demonstrated uncommon flexibility on an issue that for others...represents a bright line."

2020: Youngkin's Opposition to Transgender Student Protections

In 2020, a major subject of opposition among Republicans during the campaign was a state law signed in 2020 by Youngkin's predecessor, Ralph Northam, requiring that all Virginia public schools adopt regulations affirming of transgender students. Youngkin has been critical of these protections.

April 2021: Youngkin Cancels Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative

In April 2021, Youngkin canceled the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative, a program developed by the Northam administration to close the racial achievement gap and improve job skills. Critics viewed it as "a dumbing down of standards", while Youngkin called it a "left-wing takeover of public education".

July 2021: Youngkin on abortion rights

In July 2021, while running for governor, Glenn Youngkin was caught on a hot mic stating that he would "start going on offense" against abortion rights if elected, but would avoid the topic until then to win independent votes.

2021: Beloved Bill Becomes Focal Point of Election

In 2021, The "Beloved Bill", which had originated when a conservative activist took issue with the inclusion of Beloved in her high school senior son's AP English class, became one of the focal points of Virginia's 2021 gubernatorial election, and reviving the bill was identified by The Washington Post as "one of the key promises" of Youngkin's campaign.

Beloved: Pulitzer Prize Winner (Vintage International)

Check it on Amazon

January 21, 2022: Youngkin sets up email tipline for Virginia schools

On January 21, 2022, Governor Youngkin introduced an email tipline for reporting "divisive practices" in Virginia schools, concurrent with an executive order against school mask mandates. He later stated that parents should report violations of their rights or disrespect towards their children, with the administration aiming to "catalogue it all" and "root it out".

February 3, 2022: Youngkin explains tipline administration response

On February 3, 2022, Youngkin said that his administration was responding to complaints submitted to the school tipline. Inquiries regarding the usage of tipline complaints went unanswered and FOIA requests were denied, leading to lawsuits from media outlets in April and American Oversight in August. In November, a settlement granted access to 350 emails. The tipline was shut down in September.

March 23, 2022: Federal Judge Decided Lawsuit on Mask Mandates

On March 23, 2022, a federal judge decided the lawsuit by ruling that school districts in Virginia could choose to require masking in areas frequented by the plaintiffs. The ruling did not overturn Youngkin's executive order or the state law and only applies to school systems attended by the plaintiffs.

April 2022: Youngkin Signs Bill Allowing Parental Review of Sexually Explicit Educational Content

In April 2022, Youngkin signed a bill allowing Virginia school parents to review and opt their children out of educational material containing "sexually explicit content", providing alternative material for opted-out students. Democrats criticized the bill for taking control over education away from local school systems and argue that its definition of "sexually explicit content" is "overly broad".

May 2022: Youngkin calls for federal intervention

In May 2022, following the leaked draft opinion of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Governor Youngkin and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan called on the federal government to intervene against protests targeting the homes of conservative Supreme Court Justices living in Virginia and Maryland.

June 2022: Moran transitions to full-time senior political advisor

In June 2022, Moran transitioned to the role of full-time senior political advisor for Youngkin, after serving pro bono as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs during the first half of 2022. His initial role drew scrutiny due to potential conflicts of interest with his political consulting firms.

June 2022: Youngkin introduces budget amendment

In June 2022, Youngkin responded to protests by introducing an amendment to the state budget that would have made it a felony to participate in any protest seeking to intimidate or influence a judge. The amendment was defeated after receiving bipartisan opposition.

August 2022: Youngkin Enlists Think Tank to Revise Educational Standards

In August 2022, Youngkin enlisted the Thomas B. Fordham Institute to assist in revising Virginia's educational standards for history and social sciences. In November, the Virginia Department of Education released a proposal which was ultimately not adopted by the Virginia Board of Education due to pushback.

September 2022: Youngkin administration to repeal regulations on transgender students

In September 2022, the Youngkin administration announced it would repeal regulations on transgender students in Virginia schools established by a 2020 bill. The revised policies would require student access to facilities and programs to be based on biological sex, legal documentation for name or gender changes, and parental consent for preferred name or pronoun usage, potentially requiring teachers to out transgender students to their parents.

December 2022: Settlement Reached on Mask Mandates

In December 2022, a settlement was reached following an appeal by the Youngkin administration regarding mask mandates. The settlement allows mask mandates under similar terms to those established by the March court ruling.

2022: Youngkin campaigns in other states

During the 2022 United States elections, Youngkin campaigned frequently for Republicans in other states, supporting both candidates who had embraced Trump's false claims about the 2020 election and those who had not.

2022: Youngkin amends Loudoun County School Board election bill

During the 2022 legislative session, Youngkin amended a bill concerning Loudoun County School Board elections, aiming to advance elections for seven of nine members. This was framed as holding the board accountable for handling prior sexual assaults. Critics, including Democrats and the school board, viewed it as an attempt to subvert election results, sparking controversy and partisan conflict.

2022: Youngkin Advocates for Reversal of Governor's School Admissions Reforms

During the 2022 legislative session, Youngkin supported a bill to reverse reforms to admissions processes at Governor's Schools, specifically Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School. The bill, aimed at banning the use of geographic and socioeconomic factors in admissions, passed in the House but failed in the Senate. A separate bill signed by Youngkin bans Governor's Schools from discriminating based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.

2022: Youngkin Vetoes Bill on Landlord Code Violations

In 2022, Youngkin vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have given judges the ability to mandate landlords to address code violations. He stated the legislation was "unnecessary" and that tenants should share responsibility for maintaining safe living conditions.

2022: Democrats Oppose Tax Cuts in State Budget

In 2022, although the budget signed by Youngkin passed with bipartisan support, some Democrats opposed it, arguing that too much of the state's surplus was spent on tax cuts at the expense of funding for affordable housing, mental health services, gun violence prevention, and transportation.

2022: Youngkin's administration on policy changes

In 2022, the Youngkin administration described its policy changes as upholding parental rights and student dignity, aligning with a national trend among Republicans to introduce legislation curtailing transgender rights. Many Virginia school districts had not yet adopted the Northam administration's model policies, while others opposed Youngkin's policies, citing violations of state law.

2022: Conflict escalates between Youngkin and Democratic state legislators

Throughout the 2022 legislative session, conflict intensified between Youngkin and Democratic state legislators due to disputes arising from Wheeler's nomination. Youngkin issued more vetoes than his predecessors in their first year, targeting bills sponsored by Democrats, even signing identical bills sponsored by Republicans.

2023: Sexually Explicit Content Bill to Take Effect

In 2023, The provisions of the bill allowing Virginia school parents to review and opt their children out of educational material containing "sexually explicit content" will take effect.

2023: Youngkin Agreement to Move Washington Teams to Alexandria Fails

In 2023, Youngkin made public an agreement with Ted Leonsis to move the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals to Alexandria, VA, with Virginia taxpayers paying $1.35 billion for new stadiums. The agreement failed to gain approval from Virginia state lawmakers or local Alexandria politicians, dooming the project.

2023: Report of procedural hurdles to franchise restoration process

In 2023, it was reported that Youngkin and his Secretary of the Commonwealth had quietly reversed course from their predecessors, reinstating procedural hurdles to the franchise restoration process and dramatically decreasing the number of ex-felons granted the franchise.