Jay Jones’s violent text messages in Virginia bleed into the national debate

Published October 7, 2025 7:00am ET



President Donald Trump and national Republican lawmakers are highlighting controversial text messages from Virginia Democrat Jay Jones in an attempt to shift momentum away from Democrats in the commonwealth’s bellwether elections next month.

Jones, the Democratic attorney general, sent violent text messages suggesting former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert should receive “two bullets to the head,” which has unified Republicans to call for his exit from the race against Republican state Attorney General Jason Miyares.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.