FBI Raids Office of Top Democratic Leader in Redistricting Wars

The FBI raided the Portsmouth, Virginia, office of Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, a Democratic leader in the state behind its redistricting victory, on Wednesday, ostensibly over corruption allegations.  

Lucas, an 82-year-old great-grandmother, has been a frequent critic of Republicans and President Trump, and is an ally to Virginia’s Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger. Fox News covered the FBI raid live

NOW: An FBI raid is unfolding at the office of Virginia Democratic State Sen. Louise Lucas — and it’s already drawing serious attention.

Multiple people on the scene are reportedly being taken into custody as agents move through the area.

The office sits near several cannabis… pic.twitter.com/WIcn9xrzOy

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 6, 2026

The bureau reportedly has multiple search warrants, and is also raiding a cannabis dispensary co-owned by Lucas next door. Lucas has frequently advocated for marijuana legalization, and in 2022, her business was found by the Virginia Mercury to be selling delta-9 THC, a substance illegal to sell in Virginia, although many of the products in her store were found to be mislabeled. 

Lucas is combative on social media, posting memes in support of Virginia’s redistricting effort and going toe-to-toe with Republicans like President Trump and Senator Ted Cruz. That could be why she’s being targeted by the FBI, which under director Kash Patel has vindictively pursued Trump’s critics. 

X screenshot L. Louise Lucas
@SenLouiseLucas
Next week we will return to Richmond and convene our 2026 legislative session.  I’m ready to get to work!

photo memeX L. Louise Lucas
@SenLouiseLucas
You all started it and we fucking finished it.

Quote tweet of Ted Cruz:
A brazen abuse of power & an insult to democracy.

47% of VA voted Trump. They will now get just 9% of the seats. 

52% of VA voters voted Harris. Now they get 91% of the seats. 

(By comparison, in TX, 56% voted Trump; GOP gets 79% of the seats.)

X screenshot L. Louise Lucas
@SenLouiseLucas
Virginians- the choice is now up to you on whether we stand up to Donald Trump’s abuses or just watch him gerrymander the rest of the country from the sidelines.  You can vote early today or vote on Tuesday at your normal polling place.  

Make a plan.

Don’t guess.

VOTE YES.
9:22 AM · Apr 18, 2026
·
31.5K
 
Views

This story has been updated.