Virginia’s Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones previously made comments regarding the shooting and subsequent death of former House Speaker Joe Johnson, a 90-year-old member of the Virginia legislature. A text exchange from August 2022, revealed by Fox News Digital, shows Jones communicating with a departing lawmaker from Norfolk about Johnson’s death.
In the message, Jones noted the respect shown for Johnson, particularly referring to a “passionate compliment” from Todd Gilbert, a current Republican House leader at the time. Several Republicans, including Gilbert, remembered Johnson fondly as a moderate who often reached across party lines.
Jones elaborated, mentioning that Johnson “leapt everything to you,” which indicated the trust and camaraderie he fostered in the political landscape. Jones conveyed a strong sense of grief and anger about the death of his political peers, saying he would visit their graves with haunting emotions.
The tone of the conversation shifted, however, when Jones made a startling comparison involving Gilbert and historical figures like Hitler. He suggested a violent outcome for Gilbert in a hyperbolic manner that drew concern. Coiner, attempting to steer the dialogue back to a more constructive path, intervened, but Jones persisted in his dark humor, referencing the violent implications of putting Gilbert among notorious figures.
A spokesperson from Coiner’s campaign condemned Jones’s remarks, labeling them as inappropriate and reckless. Following these statements, the political atmosphere heated up, as other lawmakers, including Abigail Spanberger, distanced themselves from the rhetoric. Spanberger remarked that she consistently condemns violent language in politics and expressed shock over Jones’s texts.
While Jones confirmed the text messages and expressed regret, he also accused Republican opponents of distraction tactics aimed at impacting his character during an election campaign. He underscored that violent rhetoric has no place in political discourse, while making it clear the focus should remain on the needs of Virginians rather than partisan attacks.
Gilbert, after leaving the House leadership role, accepted a position as a U.S. attorney, and as of now, has not publicly addressed the controversy.
