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Virginia’s incoming Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, just made a move that’s raising eyebrows across the Commonwealth.

Spanberger announced last week that Stanley Meador, a former FBI agent who oversaw the department behind a disputed memo targeting traditionalist Catholics, will serve as her Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, as The Christian Post reports.

Meador previously led the Richmond FBI field office, which authored the memo linking “radical-traditionalist Catholic” groups with violent extremism—an action later deemed deeply flawed by internal federal investigations.

FBI Memo Under Scrutiny for Targeting Faith

For a party that talks a lot about religious tolerance, the Spanberger administration appears oddly comfortable elevating someone connected to a document criticized for profiling religious believers. The FBI withdrew the memo after it was criticized for its reliance on fringe sources and lack of proper analytic standards.

The Richmond memo cited the Southern Poverty Law Center—long a progressive lightning rod—for supporting its claims. The SPLC has been accused of unfairly targeting conservative and Christian groups under the guise of combating “hate.”

Senator Chuck Grassley made clear where he stood, saying, “I'm determined to get to the bottom of the Richmond memo, and of the FBI's contempt for oversight in the last administration.” His statement reflects a growing frustration with how institutions are weaponized under the guise of national security.

Governor Spanberger Defends Controversial Appointment

Despite the uproar, the governor-elect is standing by Meador. “Meador’s decades of service… will bring the expertise necessary to protect our citizens,” Spanberger claimed. Good intentions perhaps, but credibility matters in a post-memo world, especially when public trust in agencies like the FBI is so damaged.

According to a report from the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General from April, the Richmond FBI office “inappropriately considered religious beliefs and affiliation as a basis for conducting investigative activity.” That’s bureaucrat-speak for violating the First Amendment by failing to recognize that strong faith does not equal violence.

To be fair, the same report said no malicious intent was found. But it also noted “errors in professional judgment” and a failure to follow standard procedures, hardly qualifications one wants in a top security official. Meador, as the head of that office, bears responsibility.

Public Safety Post Draws Political Attention

Critics have questioned whether Spanberger’s decision was political payback or a nod to entrenched establishment networks. Meador had also previously been placed on administrative leave during the Trump administration's personnel changes, which were derided at the time as shake-ups of deep-rooted bureaucracies.

The same Richmond FBI memo was eventually sent to more than 1,000 agency employees nationwide before a whistleblower risked career blowback to bring it to light. That whistleblower did the public a greater service than the document’s authors ever could.

While the governor-elect praises Meador’s valor and competence—including a commendation related to the 9/11 Pentagon response—public trust hinges not only on past heroics but on current integrity and sound judgment. The record here is a mixed bag, at best.

Faith, Politics, and Security in Virginia

Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in last month’s election, becoming Virginia’s first female governor. She will succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who was term-limited under Virginia law.

The political implications of this appointment could linger far beyond Meador’s confirmation. With rising political polarization and intense scrutiny over government surveillance practices, tying public safety leadership to a memo that treated faith as a red flag is a tough sell for many voters.

Spanberger may emphasize results and experience, but Virginians will be watching closely whether this leadership choice prioritizes safety—or ideology. Trust isn’t restored with titles. It’s earned by action.