Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday dismissed the backlash following a controversy involving a concerning Young Republicans group chat, saying it’s less serious than Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones’s call for violence against a GOP lawmaker and his family.
“This is far worse than anything said in a college group chat, and the guy who said it could become the AG of Virginia,” Vance posted on X. “I refuse to join the pearl clutching when powerful people call for political violence.”
Earlier this month, National Review reported that Jones texted a Virginia House of Delegates colleague in 2022 about wishing to shoot former Speaker Dan Gilbert twice in the head. Jones also suggested Gilbert’s children, whom he called “little fascists,” should be harmed.
Jones faced widespread pushback from Vance and the Republican Party, while Democrats largely refused to condemn his rhetoric or call on him to drop out of his race against Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Republican incumbent.
Jones’s texts will also likely have a significant effect on the outcome of next month’s election for Virginia governor. Former Democratic Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who’s running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), has been lambasted by Republicans for her handling of the controversy.
However, Republicans are facing a texting controversy of their own.
In leaked Telegram messages first reported by Politico, Young Republicans leaders privately made racist and otherwise offensive jokes about their political opponents. The leak particularly concerned members from the New York State Young Republicans, an organization for members between the ages of 18 and 40.
The texts implicate members of Young Republicans groups from New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont over the span of seven months this year. One member said, “I love Hitler,” and mused about placing their enemies in gas chambers. Others labeled black people monkeys and called for rape against their political opponents.
Vermont state Sen. Samuel Douglass was also caught making an unsavory comment about an obese Indian woman, who he said “didn’t bathe often.” Douglass has since been called to resign by Gov. Phil Scott (R-VT).
HOCHUL FIRES AT STEFANIK OVER NEW YORK YOUNG REPUBLICANS’ LEAKED TEXTS
The Young Republican National Federation forcefully denounced the scrutinized messages.
“We are appalled by the vile and inexcusable language revealed in the Politico article published today. Such behavior is disgraceful, unbecoming of any Republican, and stands in direct opposition to the values our movement represents,” the organization’s board of directors said on Tuesday. “Those involved must immediately resign from all positions within their state and local Young Republican organizations. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism.”
