Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) signed 11 executive orders following his swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, including those that overturn Virginia's mask mandate for public schools and a COVID vaccination requirement for state workers.
Driving the news: Youngkin also signed an order that bans the teaching of critical race theory, a major focus of the 2021 campaign.
- Another one of the orders effectively withdraws the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a program with neighboring states intended to reduce carbon pollution.
Of note: Many of these moves could face legal challenges as well as pushback from state lawmakers.
What they're saying: White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Sunday responded to Youngkin, who made speaking up for parents against pandemic measures a key part of his election campaign.
- "Hi there. Arlington county parent here (don’t believe you are @GlennYoungkin but correct me if I am wrong)," Psaki tweeted.
- "Thank you to @APSVirginia [Arlington Public Schools] for standing up for our kids, teachers and administrators and their safety in the midst of a transmissible variant," she added.
Go deeper: Glenn Youngkin's play: Forever- and Never-Trumpers
Editor's note: This article has been updated with Psaki's comment.
