Democrat Jay Jones Pivots To Jan. 6, Abortion When Called Out On His Death Threat Texts

Democratic Virginia Attorney General nominee Jay Jones, when called to task for 2022 text messages that appeared to hint at the death of a political opponent’s children, responded by immediately mentioning President Donald Trump as well as left-wing talking points.

Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares tore into Jones during a Thursday debate between the two men, with Miyares saying the Democrat had “three years to say you’re sorry.” When Jones was given 30 seconds to respond, he instantly tried to change the subject to Trump and appeared to refer to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol and what he called Miyares’ “extreme position on abortion.”

“And the reality, Jay, is that your text messages that advocated for violence against innocent children — Jay, if you were to apply to be a line prosecutor in not just my office, any attorney general office in the country, you would not pass a background check,” Miyares said during the debate. (RELATED: ‘He Should Step Out’: Former Biden Official Meghan Hays Torches Jay Jones Over Disgusting Texts)

“And right now you may say that you are sorry, but look back at what happened,” the Republican attorney general added. “You had three years to say you’re sorry, Jay, and you didn’t. Three years to actually recognize what you did was horrific. You chose to stay silent.”

“And when this became public, we now know your first statement wasn’t saying ‘I’m sorry.’ The words, ‘I’m sorry’ wasn’t even in your statement. It was to say we all send text messages we regret. You attacked the president, and you attacked me. It wasn’t until 12 hours after you were first notified that you then decide to say ‘I’m sorry.’ Because at the end of the day, Jay, you’re a politician and not a prosecutor, and you certainly can’t be the top prosecutor in the state of Virginia.”

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“I want to say one thing, Jason Miyares can’t prosecute a case against Donald Trump, that’s for sure,” Jones said in reply as soon as it was his turn to speak. “And I will also say this. I was held accountable by my party and I deeply, deeply respect that.”

“But what about when Donald Trump used incendiary language to incite a riot to try to overturn an election here in this country?” Jones added, appearing to refer to Jan 6.

“What about when, [Republican Virginia gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears] used violent language about people who disagree with you and her and your extreme position on abortion?” he asked the pro-life Miyares.

Jones told a Republican state lawmaker in an August 2022 text conversation that he would give then Republican Virginia House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert “two bullets to the head” over murderous dictators Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot.

“Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time,” Jones wrote in a text message, first reported by National Review.

“You were talking about hopping [sic] jennifer Gilbert’s children would die,” the GOP lawmaker, Virginia Del. Carrie Coyner, told Jones in another text message. Coyner maintained that the message was sent to her after the two politicians spoke on the phone during which Jones brought up the prospect of the Gilberts’ children dying, according to The New York Times.

“Yes, I’ve told you this before. Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy,” Jones told Coyner during the conversation. “I mean do I think Todd and Jennifer are evil? And that they’re breeding little fascists? Yes.”

On Oct. 3, Jones eventually apologized for his messages, after they were widely reported by the national press.

“I take full responsibility for my actions, and I want to issue my deepest apology to Speaker Gilbert and his family,” the Democrat wrote. “Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed and sorry.”

“I have reached out to Speaker Gilbert to apologize directly to him, his wife Jennifer and their children. I cannot take back what I said; I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology,” Jones added.

Democratic Virginia gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger dodged a yes-or-no-question on whether she would revoke her support for Jones’ candidacy during an Oct. 9 debate against her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

Miyares was elected in 2021, narrowly unseating then-incumbent and two-term Democratic Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring. Herring had defeated Jones in the Democratic primary that same year.

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