During the first and only debate for Virginia attorney general, Democrat candidate Jay Jones faced questions about his past violent remarks and criminal history, but chose to deflect by attacking President Donald Trump and current Attorney General Jason Miyares instead of addressing his own behavior, as reported by the Gateway Pundit.
Moderator K. Brett Marston pressed Jones on multiple occasions to explain why Virginians should trust his judgment after resurfaced statements from 2022, when Jones made politically violent comments about wanting to kill his Republican rival, along with a reckless driving conviction that raised further concerns about his character.
Rather than express genuine remorse or directly answer the question, Jones attempted to shift blame, claiming his accountability came from his own party while simultaneously attacking Miyares and President Trump.
“Well, look, Brett, I want to say one thing — Jason Miyares can’t prosecute a case against Donald Trump, that’s for sure,” Jones said during the exchange.
“And I will also say this: I was held accountable by my party, and I deeply, deeply respect that. But what about when Donald Trump used incendiary language to incite a riot to try to overturn an election here in this country?”
Jones went on to accuse other Virginia Republicans of using “violent language,” citing Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and radio host John Reid.
“What about when Winsome Sears used violent language about people who disagree with you and her in your extreme position on abortion? What about when John Reid shared Nazi porn? You haven’t said a word. I’ve taken accountability for my mistakes. It’s time you — we — take accountability, too.”
When Marston repeated the question, pressing Jones again to explain why voters should trust him after his violent remarks, Jones again avoided a direct answer, instead returning to his campaign’s focus on targeting President Trump.
“I’ve taken accountability for my mistakes,” Jones said.
“This job right now demands someone who will hold Donald Trump accountable. For the last nine months, Jason has had 50 chances to sue the administration — to protect us, to protect our workers, to protect our health care, to protect our K-12 funding, and funding for law enforcement. And his office hasn’t done a thing because he’s too weak and too scared to stand up to the President.”
🚨IN VIRGINIA… Disgraced Attorney General Candidate Jay Jones was pressed on why voters should trust someone with such poor moral character..
His response?
‘I was held accountable by my party, also I’m going to prosecute President Trump, because he’s bad, and orange.’
🙄
“I… pic.twitter.com/0upn1NWFl8
— Walter Curt (@WCdispatch_) October 17, 2025
While Miyares used the debate to highlight issues such as rising crime, border security, and protecting Virginia families, Jones appeared to make his campaign about political retaliation, vowing to “prosecute President Trump” rather than addressing Virginia’s immediate legal and public safety priorities.
Jay Jones, the Democrat nominee for Virginia AG — who fantasied about murdering his political opponent — is more focused with taking President Trump to court than prosecuting actual criminals. pic.twitter.com/i6Atz4z6kS
— Andrew @ Don’t Walk, RUN! (@DontWalkRUN) October 17, 2025
The debate marks the final major public appearance before Election Day, where voters will decide whether to keep Miyares, the state’s first Hispanic attorney general, or elect Jones, whose remarks have sparked widespread criticism.
