Virginia Attorney General candidate Jay Jones is facing intense scrutiny after text messages from 2022 surfaced, revealing violent rhetoric directed at then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert.
The messages, sent to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner, included a chilling statement: “Three people, two bullets… Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”
Jones further elaborated, stating, “Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time.”
These texts have sparked bipartisan condemnation, with many questioning Jones’ fitness for public office.
Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed outrage, calling the remarks “violent and disgusting rhetoric.”
Youngkin added that these messages are “beyond disqualifying” for a candidate seeking to be the state’s top law enforcement official.
Delegate Coyner, who received the messages, described them as “disturbing” and “disqualifying,” emphasizing the severity of the threat implied.
Jones initially downplayed the controversy, accusing his opponent, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, of orchestrating a smear campaign.
However, as public backlash grew, Jones issued a public apology, admitting he had sent the messages and expressing remorse for his words.
He stated, “I take full responsibility for my actions and have reached out to Speaker Gilbert and his family to apologize directly.”
Despite the apology, many remain unconvinced, citing the gravity of the statements and the potential implications for public safety.
The controversy has overshadowed the campaign, with Jones’ opponent, Jason Miyares, condemning the remarks and questioning Jones’ judgment.
Miyares remarked, “You have to be coming from an incredibly dark place to say what you said. Not by a stranger. By a colleague. Somebody you had served with.”
The incident has also drawn criticism from within Jones’ own party. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger condemned the remarks but stopped short of calling for Jones to withdraw from the race.
Lieutenant Governor candidate Ghazala Hashmi also condemned the statements, stating, “I condemn it at every turn, Jay must take accountability for the pain that his words have caused.”
The Republican Attorneys General Association has called for Jones to withdraw from the race, citing the severity of the comments.
This incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding Jones, including a 2022 reckless driving conviction where he was clocked at 116 mph but avoided jail time by completing community service hours with his own political action committee.
Legal experts note that while the messages may not result in criminal charges, they raise serious ethical concerns about Jones’ suitability for public office.
The timing of the revelation is particularly damaging, coming just weeks before the November election, with early voting already underway.
Polls indicate a tight race between Jones and Miyares, with the controversy potentially influencing undecided voters.
Conservatives are rejoicing online after American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, one of the key members of the Democratic National Committee, announced her resignation, citing concerns about being “out of step” with the committee’s apparent change in direction.For context, in a letter sent to Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chair, on June 5, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, who has been a DNC member for 23 years, announced that
she was stepping down based on what Politico described as “fundamental disagreements” with Martin. In response, conservative commentator Nick Sortor sounded off on X, saying, “The Democrat Party is collapsing before our eyes.”
In her letter, Weingarten stressed that she continues to believe that the Democratic Party has a “vital role in America,” adding that the modern iteration of the party “has fought relentlessly and repeatedly for all Americans to have justice, freedom, and opportunity.” However, the former DNC member stressed that the Democrats’ mission “is under attack like never before.”
Continuing, Weingarten wrote that the Democratic Party is engaged in an “existential battle,” which she argued was fought by Democrats who “devote their lives to protecting kids and communities while paving pathways for a better life for all Americans.” She added that “given the work ahead of us,” she would be declining re-appointment, clarifying that she is still “proud to be a Democrat.”
Moreover, the longtime DNC member said that she believes she is “out of step with the leadership” that Chair Martin “is forging,” adding, “I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities.” She concluded by writing that her organization “will continue to be a leader in electing pro-public education, pro-working family candidates.”
Posting the news of Weingarten’s resignation on Twitter, conservative commentator Nick Sortor wrote that the news “comes after a spat with DNC Chair Ken Martin.” He added, “I’m enjoying every second of this. I’m just disappointed David Hogg is no longer Vice Chair.” Moreover, Sortor argued, “The teachers’ union is the ONLY reason a red state like Kentucky has a Democrat governor,” adding, “If they stray from the Democrat party, the Dems are toast.”
Importantly, as pointed out by Nick Sortor, Weingarten’s resignation came shortly before 25-year-old activist David Hogg, former vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was removed from his position by other DNC members on June 11, 2025. According to Politico, Hogg responded to his removal by saying that there is a “fundamental disagreement about the role of Vice Chair” within the committee, adding, “And it’s okay to have disagreements.”
Clarifying his point, Hogg reportedly said, “What isn’t okay is allowing this to remain our focus when there is so much more we need to be focused on.” Moreover, DNC Chair Ken Martin, who had disagreed with Hogg on key issues, issued a statement commending Hogg “for his years of activism.” He added, “I appreciate his service as an officer, his hard work, and his dedication to the party.”
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