Politics

WATCH: Dem Candidate Refuses To Give Straight Answer On Violent Messages Scandal

Published

2 months ago

October 17, 2025

Jay Jones, the Democratic Party nominee for attorney general of Virginia, attempted to deflect a question on the violent text messages he sent to a former colleague by talking about President Donald Trump and the January 6 Capitol protests.

In 2022 text messages to a colleague, Jones stated that he wanted to put “two bullets” in the head of then-Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert. He then doubled down and threatened Gilbert’s wife and children over the phone, according to a report from the National Review.

“I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy,” the Democrat nominee told Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner. Jones then directed his violent rhetoric towards Gilbert’s children. “I mean do I think Todd and Jennifer are evil? And that they’re breeding little fascists? Yes,” he went on.

During Thursday night’s debate between Jones and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, Jones’ messages scandal produced more than one viral moment. “And the reality, Jay, is that your text messages that advocated for violence against innocent children, Jay, if you were to apply to be a line prosecutor in not just my office, any attorney general office in the country, you would not pass a background check,” Miyares said.

“And right now, you may say that you are sorry, but look back at what happened. You had three years to say you’re sorry, Jay, and you didn’t. Three years to actually recognize what you did was horrific. You chose to stay silent. Kerry Cornyer called you out then. You doubled down. It was after she called you out for these text messages that that is when you said you advocated for violence against children,” the attorney general added.

Miyares went on to note that Jones initially attempted to double down on his comments by immediately rerouting the conversation to President Donald Trump and a number of other outside political issues. He did the same during Thursday night’s debate.

“Well, look, Brett, I want to say one thin;. Jason Miyares can’t prosecute a case against Donald Trump, that’s for sure,” the Democrat responded when asked whether his judgement can be trusted going forward

“And I will also say this. I was held accountable by my party, and I deeply, deeply respect that. But what about when Donald Trump used incendiary language to incite a riot to try to overturn an election here in this country? What about when Winsome Sears used violent language about people who disagree with you and her and your extreme position on abortion?” he added, spending less than 10 seconds on his apology before redirecting.

🚨 NEW: Democratic Virginia Attorney General nominee Jay Jones mentions Trump, January 6, and abortion within SECONDS — when pressed on his 2022 text messages in which he wished death on a Republican and his children.@DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/v4H9hU7bbB

— Anthony Iafrate (@tonyiafratedc) October 16, 2025