The FBI on Wednesday searched the office of a prominent Virginia Democratic state lawmaker who helped lead the state's redistricting push.
The FBI confirmed that law enforcement activity took place at the address of state Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas' office in Portsmouth. The search is connected to a long-running public corruption investigation into her that has roots in the Biden era, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.
Federal agents also executed a search at a nearby business that Lucas co-owns called The Cannabis Outlet. Fox News first reported the development.
The FBI said in a statement that "there is no threat to public safety."
"This is an ongoing investigation," the statement continued, adding that no "further information is publicly available at this time."
A federal law enforcement official said that the Drug Enforcement Administration is involved in the investigation but that drugs are not the primary focus.
Lucas suggested Wednesday evening that the FBI search was a form of retaliation for her work on Virginia’s redistricting effort.
“Today’s actions by Federal agents are about far more than one state senator; they are about power and who is allowed to use it on behalf of the people. What we saw fits a clear pattern from this administration: when challenged, they try to intimidate and silence the voices who stand up to them,” Lucas said in a statement posted to her X account that referenced last month’s redistricting referendum results.
“I will have more to say in the days ahead, but know this: I am not backing down, and I will keep fighting for the people of Portsmouth and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” she added.
The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lucas’ statement.
A spokesperson for Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, said she is "aware" of the operation but declined to comment further.
Lucas is best known nationally for helping lead efforts in Virginia to redraw its congressional districts to favor Democratic candidates and leave just one solidly red district out of 11. The push was part of a tit-for-tat redistricting battle in statehouses across the country.
Last month, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow Democratic legislators to move forward with a new congressional map that could ultimately help Democrats pick up four more seats during the upcoming midterm elections. The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week about the legality of the amendment.
Virginia's redistricting effort was part of the broader redistricting effort that spread across the country after President Donald Trump encouraged Texas Republicans to adopt new maps. Democratic-led states responded with redistricting efforts of their own, and more than half a dozen states have redrawn their congressional districts ahead of this fall's elections.
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, a Democrat, wrote in a statement Wednesday afternoon that he is “deeply concerned” by the FBI activity.
“Given the politicization of this administration — an FBI led by Kash Patel and a Justice Department run by President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney — I think people should take this with a grain of salt and allow the facts to come out before jumping to conclusions,” Scott wrote.
The search comes roughly a week after former FBI Director James Comey, another prominent critic of the president, was indicted.
