Seriously, this is the best the Democrats could offer voters in Virginia for Attorney General? This guy has more baggage than an airport.
Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for Attorney General in Virginia, is facing new outrage after a former colleague claimed Jones once said that if more police officers died, they would stop shooting civilians. The comment, allegedly made during a discussion about qualified immunity, is now fueling growing demands for him to drop out of the race for Virginia Attorney General.
Former Delegate Carrie Coyner says that in a 2020 phone call, she warned Jones that removing legal protections for officers could make policing more dangerous. She claims Jones replied, “Well, maybe if a few of them died, they would move on, not shooting people, not killing people.”
Jones has denied making the comment. In a statement, his campaign said, “I did not say this. I have never believed and do not believe that any harm should come to law enforcement. Every single day, police officers put their lives on the line. As Attorney General, I will work hand in hand with law enforcement to support their work.”
In the context of the proven text messages advocating political violence against Republicans, it’s hard for Jones to convince anyone he wouldn’t make similar statements about law enforcement.
The allegation comes just days after reports of Jones’s disturbing 2022 text messages, where he fantasized about violence toward Republican Speaker Todd Gilbert. Those texts drew national condemnation and growing calls for him to withdraw from the race, though Democrats have stopped short of asking Jones to exit because they still see his vile brand as politically viable.
What makes this new revelation even more explosive is the office Jones is seeking. As Attorney General, he would serve as Virginia’s top law enforcement official — overseeing criminal prosecutions, advising police, and setting the tone for public safety across the state. For someone in that position, even a hint of hostility toward law enforcement is politically toxic.
The Virginia Fraternal Order of Police has now called on Jones to end his campaign, saying his behavior and alleged remarks are unacceptable for someone seeking to lead the state’s justice system. The group said Jones is “unfit” to serve and urged him to step aside immediately.
With early voting underway, the controversy could be devastating for Jones’s campaign. Law enforcement organizations are distancing themselves and demanding that Jones step aside. Republicans, including the incumbent Republican candidate for Attorney General, Jason Miyares, were already running damning ads against Jones before the latest revelations hammering him over his text message scandal.
Here’s the latest from Miyares:
Whether voters believe the latest accusation or not, the episode raises an obvious question: Can someone credibly accused of saying “more cops should die” lead Virginia’s law enforcement community? The answer is, of course, absolutely not.
Jones should withdraw, apologize to basically everyone, and seek psychiatric help.