Additional Coverage:
- Police union calls on Jay Jones to quit after claim more dead cops would mean fewer shootings (foxnews.com)
Controversy Mounts for Virginia AG Hopeful Jay Jones Over Alleged Violent Remarks, Texts
Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones is facing intense scrutiny and widespread calls for his withdrawal from the 2025 race following new allegations that he suggested police deaths could lead to fewer officer-involved shootings. This latest controversy adds to previous revelations of violent text messages targeting a political opponent and his family.
Republican Del. Carrie Coyner revealed Monday to Virginia Scope that during a 2020 conversation about qualified immunity, she expressed concerns that without the legal protection, police officers could be killed. According to Coyner, Jones responded, “Well, maybe if a few of them died, that they would move on, not shooting people, not killing people.”
These comments emerge as Jones was already under fire for a series of 2022 text exchanges previously brought to light by Coyner. In those messages, Jones allegedly suggested shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and wished for Gilbert and his wife to witness their “fascist” children die.
One particularly stark message read, “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot.
Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
The Virginia Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) swiftly condemned Jones’s actions and called for his immediate withdrawal from the Attorney General race. In a letter issued Monday, the FOP stated, “While this incident may have occurred in 2022, this conduct has no place in our society or democracy, especially from an elected official who is running to be the top prosecutor in Virginia.” The FOP unequivocally condemned the violent messages, emphasizing that such rhetoric is unacceptable and that Jones is “unfit for the office of Attorney General of Virginia.”
Republicans, including Governor Glenn Youngkin, have also pressed for Jones to abandon his campaign. Governor Youngkin characterized the messages as “beyond disqualifying,” stating, “This violent, disgusting rhetoric targeted at an elected official and his children is beyond disqualifying.”
Del. Coyner reiterated her position, asserting, “It is never acceptable to think that killing people is a justifiable method to achieve policy changes.
Period. Anyone that advocates for killing someone for disagreeing with them is not qualified to serve.”
In response to the new allegations concerning police officers, Jones has issued a denial. “I did not say this.
I have never believed and do not believe that any harm should come to law enforcement, period,” Jones told Virginia Scope. “Every single day, police officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and I am deeply grateful for their service and sacrifice.
As Attorney General, I will work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to support their work.”
Despite the escalating controversy and widespread condemnation from law enforcement and Republican figures, no high-level Democrats have publicly come out against Jones.