Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has called on the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) and the Attorney General Alliance (AGA) to deny membership to Virginia Attorney General-elect Jay Jones, citing a series of “abhorrent” text messages Jones sent in 2022 that expressed violent fantasies toward his political opponent and the opponent’s children.
The texts include explicit references to harming his opponent, with Jones reportedly envisioning “two bullets to the head” and expressing a desire for his opponent’s children to die “so that they could feel pain personally.” In another message, Jones allegedly wrote that he wanted to attend his opponent’s funeral “to piss on their graves,” and described them as “evil” people who “breed little fascists.” One delegate recalled a 2020 phone call in which Jones suggested that the deaths of a few police officers might curb violence.
“The messages demonstrate recklessness and a disturbing willingness to condone violence, raising serious doubts about his ability to serve responsibly,” Knudsen wrote. “This is not a trivial lapse in judgment; it is a red flag about temperament, accountability, and fitness for office.”
Knudsen noted that concerns about political violence are heightened following recent attacks, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the attempted assassination of former President Trump. He emphasized that incoming attorneys general engaging in rhetoric condoning violence sends a dangerous signal that such behavior is acceptable.
“The office of attorney general is a solemn trust. It demands integrity, judgment, and respect for the law. Mr. Jones’ conduct—and his lack of genuine accountability—casts serious doubt on his ability to uphold that trust,” Knudsen wrote. “Granting membership to someone who has openly fantasized about murder risks eroding the credibility of our profession and endangering colleagues nationwide. Allowing Mr. Jones to participate would be a stain on our institutions and an abject moral failure.”
Attorneys general from Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, and Texas joined Knudsen in signing the letter urging NAAG and AGA to deny Jones membership.