Plenty of people in politics break the law. And it’s rare that they ever see consequences.
But Trump demanded jail time for a Democrat and now all hell is breaking loose.
Trump Criticizes Virginia AG Nominee Over Controversial Texts
President Donald Trump sharply criticized Virginia Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones on Sunday, calling him an “animal” in response to text messages from 2022 in which Jones expressed violent sentiments toward a political opponent.
Speaking to reporters, Trump referenced messages first reported this month where Jones texted Virginia state lawmaker Carrie Coyner, imagining a scenario where he would “fire two bullets” into then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert’s head and referring to Gilbert’s children as “fascists.”
Trump stated, “You mean the one that wanted to k*ll some of his children and k*ll somebody? You mean the animal that wanted to k*ll somebody who should not be allowed to be running for that office?”
He added, “I can’t imagine anybody voting for Jay Jones. Look, you would think he’s totally discredited. I would think he wouldn’t even be allowed to do that; anybody would be put in prison for what he said.” The remarks followed Jones’s criticism of Trump during a recent Virginia campaign debate.
Jones Faces Backlash, Issues Apology
Jones, who also compared Gilbert to dictators Pol Pot and Adolf H–tler in the 2022 exchange, has since apologized, stating he is “embarrassed” by the messages.
The controversy has sparked significant attention in the Virginia attorney general race, with Trump questioning Jones’s fitness for office, saying, “He can join a long list of attorney generals that have been suing and losing.”
The texts have drawn condemnation from Republican groups, including the Republican Governors Association, which supports Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the opponent of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger.
The RGA’s rapid response director, Kollin Crompton, told Fox News Digital, “Jay Jones threatened to m*rder his political opponent and their children, and Abigail Spanberger still fully endorses him and is trying to make money off it.”
Crompton further questioned Spanberger’s judgment, asking, “If Spanberger is willing to put partisan politics above doing the right thing and standing up to political violence, how can she be trusted as governor?”
Democratic Support for Jones Persists
Despite the controversy, several Virginia Democrats have maintained their support for Jones. Gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, who endorsed Jones before the texts surfaced, has not withdrawn her endorsement, and her campaign website continues to offer Jones-branded merchandise.
This decision has fueled criticism from Republican groups, who argue it reflects poorly on Democratic leadership.
The Virginia attorney general race remains a focal point as candidates navigate the fallout from Jones’s remarks and the broader implications for the state’s political landscape.
