A Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general faces serious backlash over violent text messages.

Jay Jones is running against Jason Miyares for attorney general. Violent texts from 2022 recently surfaced showing Jones fantasizing about assassinating a Republican state legislator.

President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social. He blasted Jones and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger. Spanberger refused to call for Jones to drop out.

Trump wrote a scathing message about the situation.

“It has just come out that the Radical Left Lunatic, Jay Jones, who is running against Jason Miyares, the GREAT Attorney General in Virginia, made SICK and DEMENTED jokes. If they were jokes at all, which were not funny, and that he wrote down and sent around to people, concerning the murdering of a Republican Legislator, his wife, and their children.”

Jones sent the texts to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner in August 2022. The messages were about then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert.

One message was particularly disturbing.

“Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot.”

Jones continued with even more violent language.

“Gilbert gets two bullets to the head.”

The New York Post obtained these shocking text messages.

Jones also had a phone call with Coyner. During that conversation, he fantasized about Gilbert’s wife watching her children die. He called the children “little fascists.”

Jones initially refused to apologize for his violent fantasies. Later he claimed he reached out to Gilbert. He said he wanted to express regret for his “grave mistake.”

Spanberger condemned the messages but took no real action. She stopped short of demanding Jones exit the race. Trump called her out for this weakness.

“Abigail Spanberger, who is running for Governor, is weak and ineffective, and refuses to acknowledge what this Lunatic has done. Democrat Jay Jones should drop out of the Race, IMMEDIATELY.”

Top Virginia Democrats are standing by Jones despite the controversy. The Virginia Beach Democratic Party continues to support him. They show no signs of asking him to leave the race.

Spanberger currently leads her Republican opponent in the polls. RealClearPolitics shows her ahead by 8.3 points. She faces pressure to take a stronger stance against Jones.

Trump used strong language to describe Jones and his actions. He called Jones a “Radical Left Lunatic.” The president emphasized that Miyares is a great attorney general.

The text messages reveal a dark side of Jones’ character. Fantasizing about murdering a political opponent crosses every line. Talking about killing someone’s wife and children is even worse.

Jones tried to downplay the messages as jokes. But Trump pointed out they were not funny at all. Writing down violent fantasies and sending them to people is serious.

The Democratic Party in Virginia now faces a major problem. One of their top candidates sent messages about assassinating Republicans. Party leaders must decide whether to continue supporting him.

Spanberger’s refusal to demand Jones drop out raises questions. Does she condone this kind of violent rhetoric? Or is she too weak to stand up to her own party?

Trump made it clear what should happen next. Jones should drop out of the race immediately. Anything less shows Democrats tolerate violence against Republicans.

The messages were sent in 2022 but only recently came to light. Jones has had years to come clean about his behavior. Instead he only apologized after getting caught.

Virginia voters deserve better than a candidate who fantasizes about political violence. They deserve leaders who respect human life and democratic norms. Jones has shown he is not that person.

The race for Virginia attorney general just became much more interesting. Miyares now has powerful ammunition against his opponent. Trump’s support gives him even more momentum.

Democrats must answer why they continue supporting a candidate with such disturbing views. Their silence speaks volumes about their priorities and values.