Brace yourself for a political firestorm in Virginia as Vice President JD Vance has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding that Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones abandon his campaign due to shocking leaked text messages from 2022.
The Center Square reported that Jones is under fire over private texts where he made violent remarks about former House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his family, prompting outrage from Republican leaders and even some Democrats who are now calling for his withdrawal from the race set for November 4, 2025.
Let’s rewind to 2022, when these explosive texts were sent, as first uncovered by National Review, showing Jones comparing Gilbert to historical tyrants and suggesting he’d “receive both bullets.”
Another message exchange from that year reveals Jones affirming comments about wishing harm on Gilbert’s children, a statement so vile it’s hard to fathom coming from a public figure.
Jones hasn’t denied sending these messages, which only adds fuel to the fire of public and political condemnation. By Friday, Jones issued a public apology, claiming full responsibility and expressing deep regret for his words.
He even stated he reached out directly to Gilbert and his family to make amends, though one wonders if any apology can erase such disturbing rhetoric.
“Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach,” Jones said, admitting, “I am embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry.” Fine words, but when you’ve tossed around violent fantasies, can a mea culpa really rebuild trust?
On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Attorney General Jason Miyares made it crystal clear at a press conference that he wasn’t buying Jones’ remorse, flat-out rejecting the apology.
Republican heavyweights, including Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, have slammed Jones’s remarks as utterly unacceptable, with Earle-Sears calling them “horrible to read” and insisting he “can never be Attorney General of Virginia.”
Virginia lieutenant governor nominee John Reid didn’t hold back either, accusing Democrats of having a “violence problem,” a sharp jab at a party often preaching tolerance while one of their own spouts such venom.
Vice President Vance himself weighed in with a biting quip, saying, “I’m sure the people hyperventilating about sombrero memes will join me in calling for this very deranged person to drop out of the race.”
Ouch—Vance skewers the progressive obsession with microaggressions while highlighting the hypocrisy of ignoring real threats.
Even within Jones’ own party, the response hasn’t been warm and fuzzy, as Democratic governor candidate Abigail Spanberger expressed “disgust” at the comments and confirmed she’s spoken with Jones about owning up to his actions.
Spanberger doubled down, affirming she “will always condemn violent language in our politics,” a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on the need for civility, though it’s unclear if her words will pressure Jones to step aside.
Meanwhile, Jones’ campaign and lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi have stayed silent, dodging requests for comment, which only deepens the perception of a candidate scrambling to dodge accountability.
Isn’t transparency supposed to be a cornerstone of public service, or does that only apply when it’s convenient?