A law in Virginia, supported by Democrats, which limits how universities assess applicants’ criminal records, is now under increased scrutiny following an attack at Old Dominion University. Former Attorney General Jason Miyares criticized the legislation, labeling it “Exhibit A” of policies that jeopardize public safety.
Currently a partner at Torridon Law, Miyares condemned the “ban the box” law established during Ralph Northam’s governorship. The purpose of this law was to reduce the stigma against individuals with criminal backgrounds, preventing Virginia universities from asking about applicants’ criminal histories or denying admission based solely on those histories.
Miyares tweeted, “Kudos to Governor Ralph Northam,” referencing shooter Mohamed Jaro, who had been convicted of felony terrorism and given an 11-year prison sentence. Despite this, he was admitted to ODU without the school being aware of his past due to the 2019 “social justice” legislation.
In a Monday interview, Miyares expressed his fears about the continued progressive agenda under the current administration led by Governor Abigail Spanberger.
“This illustrates the Democratic Party’s criminal-first, victim-last policy. We warned that if such measures were enacted, innocent individuals would be harmed,” Miyares said. “They simply don’t seem to care.” He reminisced about sponsoring the initial “ban the box” legislation, which passed despite concerns that it would turn universities into “ticking time bombs.”
Miyares added that when it comes to potential dangers, like terrorism pasts going unexamined, ODU’s policies have exposed students to risks. He noted that although police investigations are crucial, registered students possess a student ID that grants them significant access, potentially facilitating harm.
He suggested that Northam and the Democrats prioritize the rights of felons over the safety of law-abiding citizens, leading to tragic incidents.
Miyares remarked, “Ralph Northam endorsed a bill that has made every college campus in Virginia less secure,” criticizing Spanberger for her appointment of Northam to a board at the Virginia Military Institute.
“The left mistakenly sees policy failures as promotions,” he observed. Fox News Digital approached Northam for comments, but he chose not to respond, stating he has returned to his medical career.
Miyares continued to focus on Spanberger’s record, calling her an ineffective moderate who, contrary to her campaign promises, has implemented various tax increases. He expressed skepticism about her governance compared to her campaign stance.
Miyares expressed a lack of optimism about the future, implying that similar tragedies might recur, criticizing the political tactics in play.
He also denounced the discontinuation of Operation Ceasefire, criticizing it as another misleading move by political leaders. Initially, when he took office, violent crime was on the rise, but Operation Violence Reduction had curbed crime rates significantly. He framed the dismantling of safety measures as a deliberate action rooted in a consistent Democratic approach in Richmond.
Attorney General Jay Jones, currently facing criticism for his handling of a prior incident, has opted not to comment on Miyares’ statements. Miyares also addressed the issue of undocumented immigrants in Virginia’s correctional facilities, noting that many convicted felons are not reported to immigration authorities, which he deemed an entirely avoidable issue.
