Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has unleashed a firestorm of criticism against Democratic Attorney General hopeful Jay Jones over chilling texts that reveal a disturbing mindset.
As reported by The Daily Caller, Youngkin, speaking on "Fox and Friends" with co-host Brian Kilmeade, highlighted violent messages from Jones in 2022 and a subsequent phone call, urging the candidate to abandon his campaign while questioning why other Democrats have not demanded the same.
Back in 2022, Jones exchanged texts with Republican Del. Carrie Coyner of Virginia, where he disturbingly discussed shooting then-Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert. Later, in a phone call, Jones escalated his rhetoric by wishing death upon Gilbert’s small children, a statement that has left many Virginians reeling.
Youngkin didn’t hold back when addressing the gravity of these remarks, painting them as a window into a troubling trend among some on the political left.
"I thought… this was a joke, because no one could write this, this is demented and here we have the Democrat candidate running for attorney general, the top cop in Virginia, wishing not only that he had two bullets to put in a guy's head, but then wishes death on his children," Youngkin said on "Fox and Friends."
"Todd Gilbert has small kids and for Jay Jones to wish death on his small children is beyond belief, but that is where the violent left of the Democrat Party is," he added, driving home the severity of the candidate’s words.
This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tension, including the tragic assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, which saw unsettling celebrations on platforms like BlueSky.
High-profile figures, such as MSNBC political analyst Matthew Dowd and Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah, faced termination for their reactions to Kirk’s killing, underscoring the divisive climate.
Closer to home, two other Democrats in Virginia have been accused of threatening to murder state delegates running for office, adding fuel to concerns about political rhetoric.
Despite the uproar over Jones’s statements, prominent Democrats like Abigail Spanberger were seen campaigning over the weekend, seemingly unfazed by the scandal.
Youngkin expressed frustration at this apparent indifference, suggesting it reflects a troubling acceptance of extreme rhetoric within certain party circles.
"They have got to call for this guy to resign, step down, get out of this race in disgrace, because this is beyond disqualifying," Youngkin insisted on "Fox and Friends," pressing for accountability.
Adding to the scrutiny, Jones has previously faced criticism for claiming he met community service requirements for a reckless driving conviction by working for his own political action committee—a move many see as ethically questionable.
Meanwhile, the resurfacing of his violent texts coincides with riots at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, painting a picture of unrest on multiple fronts.
Jones’s remarks about Gilbert and his family aren’t just a personal misstep; they raise serious questions about the kind of leadership Virginians can expect from a potential attorney general.
