The Red Fleece Vest Was Always a Lie

Cosplaying as centrists, governing like extremists—Youngkin and Sears are a warning for 2025 and beyond.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin fooled a lot of people. He ran as the affable, common-sense suburban dad in a red fleece vest, carefully avoiding Trump while dog-whistling just loud enough to win over the MAGA base. He sold Virginians a moderate Republican image—and some people actually bought it.

Governor Sweater Vest

But his veto pen has revealed the truth: Youngkin was Trump in a Patagonia knockoff all along.

This week, he vetoed a slew of gun safety bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly—measures with broad public support, including from many gun owners. These weren’t radical proposals. They were common-sense steps supported by law enforcement, public health experts, and a majority of Virginians who are sick of living in a country where mass shootings are normalized and gun violence is the leading cause of death for children.

Youngkin killed efforts to ban assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. He vetoed a bill that would have required gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms—something even responsible gun owners agree on. And he rejected a measure to ban guns in public libraries and government buildings.

This isn’t about “freedom.” This is about cowardice. It’s about a man too weak to stand up to the gun lobby and too cynical to care about the consequences.

If you’ve been reading my essays, none of this should come as a surprise. I warned back in 2021 that Youngkin’s moderate image was a smokescreen. Last year, when it briefly looked like he might sign some of these bills into law, I held my breath—but not my hopes. And now we know for sure: the man has no spine, just ambition.

And let’s not forget who’s waiting in the wings. His handpicked candidate to replace him as governor, Winsome Sears, is just as extreme—and far more open about it. Four years ago, she posed for her campaign photo holding an assault rifle like she was starring in a sequel to Rambo. You don’t have to imagine it. Just look at the image below. This is who Glenn Youngkin endorsed. This is the face of the Republican Party in Virginia.

Bat Shit Crazy

We are living in a moment where children are doing active shooter drills before they learn to read. Where parents are terrified to send their kids to school. Where people are gunned down at concerts, in churches, in grocery stores. And this is what the Republican Party offers in response: vetoes and photo ops with AR-15s.

These two—Youngkin and Sears—are dangerous. Not just because of their policies, but because of their willingness to lie about who they are until it’s too late. Don’t let them fool you again.

Remember this moment if Youngkin runs for Senate against Mark Warner. Remember this image if Winsome Sears makes it through the Republican primary. And for the love of all that is sane and safe—never, ever let either of them near public office again.

🗣 Bonus voiceover version available for paid subscribers below. If you haven’t joined yet, now’s a great time to support the fight.