Jay Jones, left; a sticker warning of his scandals, right. (Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post/Getty Images; RAGA via Fox News Digital)
"His conduct raises serious questions about his judgment, temperament, and fitness to serve as a state attorney general."
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton all signed the missive to representatives for both national associations.
The letter described how Jones in 2022 sent messages to outgoing Virginia Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Hopewell, that were "explicit fantasies of violence" against then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah.
"Most disturbingly, he expressed his desire to see his political opponents’ children die so that they could ‘feel pain personally’ -- all because Jones considered his political opponents ‘evil’ people who were ‘breeding little fascists’," Knudsen and his colleagues wrote.
"Further demonstrating his depravity, Mr. Jones expressed his desire to go to the funerals of his political opponents ‘to p[---] on their graves’ and ‘send them out awash in something’."
The attorneys general claimed that Jones has exhibited a pattern of garnering "political success" by "wishing death" on others.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall testifies at Ketanji Brown-Jackson's confirmation hearing. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
"This is not a trivial lapse in judgment; it is a red flag about temperament, accountability, and fitness for office."
The attorneys general pointed to the assassinations of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, and the multiple assassination attempts on President Donald Trump as reasons for concern over Jones’ rhetoric.
They concluded that their effort was not based on partisan politics but public trust and "basic human decency."
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"Allowing Mr. Jones to participate would be a stain on our institutions and an abject moral failure. Your response will demonstrate whether our profession holds all members accountable, or whether violent rhetoric will go unchecked," they said.
After his text scandal blew up, Jones publicly said that he was "embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry" for the messages.
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Jones also said he later contacted Gilbert to apologize.
Fox News Digital reached out to Jones via his campaign for further comment.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jay-jones-targeted-ags-urge-national-groups-deny-membership-over-scandals-stain-our-institution