Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued nine executive orders and two executive directives on Saturday. Among other things, the actions end statewide mask mandates in public schools, rescind the statewide COVID vaccine mandate for state workers and curtail how schools can teach students about racism.
Executive Order 1: Directs state education officials to end use of “inherently divisive concepts, including Critical Race Theory,” a term some Republicans use broadly to refer to lessons on systemic racism and its role in U.S. history. The order says “political indoctrination has no place in our classrooms.” It directs Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow to review and end or remove state education policies, practices or materials “that promote or endorse divisive or inherently racist concepts.”
Executive Order 2: Rescinds the statewide mask mandate for public school students and says parents may exempt their children from local school systems’ mask mandates.
Executive Order 3: Fires members of the Virginia Parole Board and names five new members: Circuit Court Judge Chadwick Dotson of Wise County as chair; Tracy Banks of Charlottesville; Cheryl Nici-O’Connell of Chesterfield County; Montgomery County Sheriff Hank Partin; and Carmen Williams of Chesterfield. In 1984, Nici-O’Connell was a 24-year-old Richmond police officer, working off duty outside the Richmond Marriott, when Kenneth Wayne Woodfin shot her in the head in a crime rampage. Nici-O’Connell recently led an effort to block Woodfin from being released on parole. Executive Order 3 also directs the secretary of public safety to review the parole board’s duties, procedures and administration.
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Executive Order 4: Authorizes Attorney General Jason Miyares to investigate Loudoun County’s public schools, where a teenage student committed sexual assaults at two schools. Youngkin’s directive asserts that Loudoun’s School Board and school administrators “withheld key details and knowingly lied to parents.”
Executive Order 5: Directs Chief Transformation Officer Eric Moeller to initiate reviews of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia Employment Commission.
Executive Order 6: Directs the Safety and Health Codes Board to convene an emergency meeting to discuss whether there is a continued need for employer COVID-19 standards. Former Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration issued the workplace standards that set down rules for how business should prevent the spread of COVID.
Executive Order 7: Sets up a commission to prevent human trafficking and provide support to victims.
Executive Order 8: Establishes a commission to combat antisemitism, noting that Virginia is the home of Thomas Jefferson’s Statute for Religious Freedom and that “our nation and our commonwealth have seen an intolerable rise in antisemitism in recent years.”
Executive Order 9: Takes steps to withdraw Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is designed to reduce emissions from power plants. Youngkin has called it a tax on electricity ratepayers.
Executive Directive 1: Directs Executive Branch entities under Youngkin’s authority to cut by 25% regulations not mandated by federal or state law.
Executive Directive 2: Rescinds the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all state employees.
Watch videos from the inauguration of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, including behind the scenes with Richmond Times-Dispatch photographer Bob Brown.

20220116_MET_INAUG_AWE01
Gov. Glenn Youngkin acknowledged the crowd after he delivered his inaugural speech on the South Portico of the state Capitol on Saturday. After the address, he reviewed a parade around the Capitol in his honor.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH

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Winsome Earle-Sears and her husband, Terence, wave to the audience after arriving for the inauguration. Earle-Sears is Virginia’s first female lieutenant governor and the first Black woman elected to statewide office.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH

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Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears takes the Oath of Office administered by retired Judge Richard D. TaylorJr. on the South portico of the Capitol Saturday, January 15, 2022. Her husband Terence Sears stands by her side.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH

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Gov. Ralph Northam shakes hands with Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin County, as he arrives with First Lady Pamela Northam for the inauguration on the South Portico of the Capitol Saturday, January 15, 2022.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH

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Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, Susan Allen and former Gov. George Allen, and Roxane and former Gov. Jim Gilmore stand for the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" during the inauguration on the South Portico of the Capitol Saturday, January 15, 2022.
- ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUG_BB03
Gov. -elect Glenn Youngkin, right, shakes hands with Gov. Ralph Northam, as their wives, Pam Northam, left, and Suzanne Youngkin look on during the "key exchange" before Youngkin was sworn in at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, VA Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
- BOB BROWN

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Terence Sears (from left), husband of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears; Earle-Sears; first lady Suzanne Youngkin; Gov. Glenn Youngkin; Attorney General Jason Miyares; and Miyares’ wife, Page, stood in front of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond on Saturday.
- BOB BROWN/times-dispatch

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin (center) and Gov. Ralph Northam (fourth from left) stand with former governors Bob McDonnell, Chuck Robb, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, Doug Wilder, George Allen, Jim Gilmore and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine before the swearing-in.
- BOB BROWN/times-dispatch

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Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, left, waits to be led up the stairs to the South Portico by House Sgt. at Arms Jay Pearson, right, where Youngkin was sworn in in front of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, VA Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
- BOB BROWN

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center, smiles as his cabinet applaudes after he finished signing 9 Executive Orders and 2 Directives in his conference room inside the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, VA Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
- BOB BROWN

20220116_MET_INAUG_BB22
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, right, watch as Richard Cullen is sworn in as the Governor's Chief Counsel by Judge Marla Graft Decker, center as the governor's cabinet members were sworn in inside the Executive Mansion in Richmond, VA Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
- BOB BROWN

20220116_MET_INAUG_JW03
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW02
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW06
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Sears and husband Terence.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW08
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW09
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Young take a shot at throwing the ball back to members of his high school his alma who participated in the parade. At left is Sears and his wife Suzanne.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW10
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Members of a Latino coalition in support of Youngkin participate in the parade.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW10
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Sears and husband, Terence, make their way to their seats.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW10
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.Youngkin led the new administration, along with spouses, in a prayer during the inaugural ceremony.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW14
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Miyares and his wife Page are introduced.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW15
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Sears and her husband Terence are introduced.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW16
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.Youngkin and his wife, Suzanne, are introduced.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW17
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Youngkin and his wife, Suzanne, are introduced.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW19
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Members of the Virginia Union University choir performed during the inaugural ceremony.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW24
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. A member of the Boy Scout unit participating in the parade takes a selfie with the new administration.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW26
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Volunteer Davis Caskey, sports his "74" hat in honor of Youngin becooming the 74th governor.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW30
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.Youngkin receives an enthusiastic response from members of the audience during his speech.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW31
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.Youngkin takes the oath of office surrended by his wife Suzanne and children.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW32
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Terence Sears and Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and SuzanneYoungkin wave to parade participants.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW37
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Members of the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg pass in review during the parade.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW39
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Members of JMU Marching Dukes perform during the parade.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW40
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW41
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Sears acknowledges the crowd after she was sworn in.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220116_MET_INAUT_JW42
Glenn Youngkin took the oath of office to become the 74th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Saturday 1/15/2022 at the State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. Winsome Earle-Sears also took the oath to become the commonwealth's first female Lieutenant Governor and the first Black woman elected to state office. Jason Miyares took the oath, becoming the first Hispanic elected to statewide office. Youngkin delivers his speech after taking the oath of office.
- JAMES H WALLACE/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220115_MET_INAUG
Former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder is recognized during the Inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
- SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220115_MET_INAUG
VMI Cadet Dane Hamilton makes his way down the stands as he helps attendees to their seats during the Inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
- SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220115_MET_INAUG
From left, Terence Sears, husband of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares and his wife, Page, stand on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
- SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH

20220115_MET_INAUG
VMI Cadets Will Wallace helps Dane Hamilton with his uniform before the Inauguration of Glenn Youngkin as the 74th Governor of Virginia on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
- SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH





(804) 649-6645
Twitter: @AndrewCainRTD
Staff writer Mel Leonor contributed to this report.
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