Calls for Virginia Attorney General to Withdraw
On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” panelists urged Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones to exit the race following the resurfacing of troubling text messages that hinted at violence toward a GOP lawmaker.
Co-host Mika Brzezinski noted that both Republicans and Democrats found the messages “terrifying,” adding, “I really didn’t want to read them out loud.”
Jones has faced scrutiny after a series of texts between him and Republican delegate Carrie Coiner emerged last Friday. In these messages, Jones expressed a desire for the violent death of then-state Capitol leader Todd Gilbert and questioned whether Gilbert and his wife were “bred small fascists.” According to a source close to the situation, a subsequent phone call between Jones and Coiner escalated further, with Jones reportedly wishing harm upon Gilbert’s children.
Panelist John Heilemann remarked, “This is extremely inappropriate, regardless of the time frame. I think there’s definitely pressure here, and I would encourage [Abigail] Spanberger, along with the party, to ask Jones to step back. Both points hold weight, and political backlash could be disastrous.” He continued to emphasize that Jones should consider withdrawing from the race.
Brzezinski questioned, “Who even says things like that?”
Heilemann added, “This guy really should just bow out for everyone’s sake.”
In one of the text messages, Jones made a shocking comment about Gilbert, saying, “Three people, two bullets. Gilbert, Hitler, and Pol Pot. Gilbert deserves two bullets in his head.”
While Spanberger condemned the messages, she refrained from demanding that Jones end his campaign.
Former Biden aide Neera Tanden also criticized Jones but noted that the messages were part of a “private conversation.” On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” she stated, “I think it was a terrible and disgusting thing to say, and it should certainly be criticized.” She further pointed out that, while condemning Jones’ words is essential, it’s also crucial to call out inflammatory comments from public figures on all sides.
In response, Jones issued an apology, expressing deep shame over his messages.
