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What Jay Jones’ victory means for Democrats and the ‘new era of violent rhetoric,’ according to experts
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Democrats in Virginia elected an attorney general who privately fantasized about murdering his political opponents, raising questions from experts who spoke to Fox News Digital about whether the Democratic Party is serious about condemning political violence.
«The moral rot infecting the Democrat Party is here to stay and voters just proved it,» Mehek Cooke, a GOP political consultant and commentator, told Fox News Digital after Jay Jones won the race for Virginia attorney general.
Jones defeated incumbent Republican Jason Miyares despite a campaign plagued with scandal after it was revealed he fantasized in 2022 text messages about shooting former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert in the head while also suggesting that harm should come to that Republican’s young «fascist» children.
«Jay Jones called for the death of political opponents and their children, yet instead of rejecting that extremism, Democrat voters rewarded it,» Cooke said.
INSIDE JAY JONES AND THE DEMOCRATS’ LATE SURGE TO UPSET WINS ACROSS VIRGINIA, FROM THE SUBURBS TO THE SHORE
Virginia attorney general candidates Jay Jones, left, and Jason Miyares, right. ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Maxine Wallace/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Julian Epstein, a longtime Democratic operative, attorney, and former chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, told Fox News Digital the «near unanimous rationalizations» from Democrats is driven by a «moral relativism that is a race to the bottom for any civilization.»
Epstein explained, «The collective shoulder shrug about a candidate who fantasizes about the assassination of his opponents and the death of his opponent’s children is of the same piece with the new era of violent rhetoric from the left and the data showing that nearly half of young progressives think that political violence can be justified. To look the other way on this because of political expedience is to lose the plot as to why one is in the public square in the first place.»
Ultimately, Cooke told Fox News Digital, the election of Jones in Virginia will help Republicans going forward.
TRUMP APPEARS TO JAB DEFEATED REPUBLICANS, SAYING IT’S ‘EASY’ TO WIN ELECTIONS ‘WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE FACTS’
Virginia attorney general candidate Jerrauld «Jay» Jones speaks at an event in Norfolk, Virginia. (Trevor Metcalfe/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
«These reckless choices by the Left, including the election of Jay Jones, will only electrify the Republican base heading into the midterms and beyond,» Cooke said.
Kentucky GOP Rep. Andy Barr, running for U.S. Senate next year, echoed the sentiment that Republicans look better to voters overall than Democrats after Tuesday night.
«The Democrat Party just elected a Socialist to run the financial capital of the world and a Leftist Attorney General who wished for Republican leaders and their children to be killed,» Barr said. «Meanwhile, one year after the greatest political comeback in history, President Trump is Making America Great Again. Our golden age will continue as the Democrat Party disgraces itself.»
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Voting booths and voters are seen at a polling location. (Graeme Sloan for The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to the Jones campaign for comment.
News that Jones had sent the controversial texts, first reported by National Review, sparked a firestorm in early October, with many pundits believing the Jones campaign would be doomed for promoting political violence in a climate still reeling from the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
However, Democrats in Virginia remained behind Jones as gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger and prominent elected Democrats in the state refused to call on him to step down after he apologized for the texts.
«At the end of the day, this election has never been about me or my opponent,» Jones said in his victory speech. «It has always been about every single one of us and the future of Virginia.»
politics,virginia,2025 2026 elections coverage
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DOJ official fact-checks California Democrat after he falsely claims ICE mask ban is in effect
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A Department of Justice official took a jab at a California state senator on Friday after the lawmaker, a Democrat running to succeed retiring Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., erroneously claimed his state began enforcing a mask ban against federal immigration officers.
Jesus Osete, the No. 2 official in the DOJ Civil Rights Division, pointed out that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration agreed in court to temporarily hold off on enforcing the ban while a lawsuit over it plays out.
Osete’s remark came in response to San Francisco-based state Sen. Scott Wiener, who posted a video Thursday boasting that the ban was active.
«That’s not what @CAgovernor told a federal judge, my man,» Osete wrote on X.
CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES MISCONDUCT PORTAL FOR REPORTING FEDERAL AGENTS DURING ICE DEPORTATION OPERATIONS
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The Trump administration sued California in November, arguing that two bills, including the No Secret Police Act introduced by Wiener, violated the Constitution’s supremacy clause, which says that when federal and state laws conflict with one another, federal laws win out.
U.S. federal agents working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detain immigrants and asylum seekers reporting for immigration court proceedings in an immigration court in New York, N.Y., July 24, 2025. (Dominic Gwinn/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
The No Secret Police Act attempted to bar ICE officers from wearing masks in certain circumstances after a series of high-profile immigration raids in the state that involved some officers fully concealing their faces with ski masks.
As part of the lawsuit, California officials agreed in December to hold off on enforcing the mask ban against ICE agents until the court could hear arguments in the case.
Wiener claimed the mask ban went into effect on Jan. 1 in a video he shared online, contradicting what California’s attorneys told the court.
NEWSOM ON COURTROOM COLLISION COURSE WITH TRUMP OVER ICE MASK BAN
State Sen. Scott Wiener of California (California Sen. Scott Wiener)
«It’s now illegal for ICE and other law enforcement to cover their faces in the state of California. Starting today, my new anti-masking law goes into effect,» Wiener said.
A federal judge is weighing whether to grant the Trump administration’s request for a preliminary injunction against the mask ban. But the briefing schedule stretches through next week, and a hearing on the matter is set for Jan. 12.
The judge could make a decision soon after the hearing, and if he were to rule in favor of California, the state could begin enforcing its ban at that point.
Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney in central California, also chided Wiener for his claim that the state law was enforceable.
«This isn’t true. California has no authority to regulate federal agents. This state law violates the federal Supremacy Clause. … California has agreed to put the law on hold and not enforce its unconstitutional mask ban, which is designed to allow radical leftists to dox federal agents enforcing immigration laws,» Essayli said.
Wiener doubled down on his remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying Essayli was a «clueless Trump Administration lackey» making a «meaningless royal decree.»
«While the agents of the state did agree to hold off on enforcing the law until the injunction hearing, the No Secret Police Act is still very much in effect, and ICE agents who appear masked in California are still subject to civil suits for violating the laws of our state,» Wiener said.
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California attorneys have been fighting the lawsuit, arguing in court papers that «armed, masked individuals» carried out arrests of alleged illegal immigrants and, in doing so, «caused terror throughout California, with the public unsure whether they were interacting with legitimate law enforcement or impostors.»
The Trump administration’s lawsuit «ignores [the] careful balance of power between the federal and state governments, seeking to invalidate two California laws. … Each law exercises the State’s historic and long-established police power,» state attorneys wrote.
justice department,immigration,california,nancy pelosi,police and law enforcement
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US capture of Maduro championed, condemned across world stage after surgical Venezuela strikes
Trump announces capture of Venezuelas Maduro, wife
Fox News Lucas Tomlinson provides details on President Donald Trumps announcement that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country during what Trump described as a large-scale strike.
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World leaders were sharply divided Saturday after the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela and President Donald Trump announced that the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez condemned what he called a «criminal attack,» writing on X that, «Our zone of peace is being brutally assaulted.» Communist Cuba is a supporter of the Maduro government and has been a longtime adversary of the United States.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said his government viewed the reports coming out of Venezuela «with deep concern,» and he warned against further escalation, claiming the U.S. strikes risked destabilizing the region.
«The Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk,» Petro wrote on X.
US COAST GUARD PURSUES THIRD ‘DARK FLEET’ OIL TANKER AS TRUMP TARGETS VENEZUELAN SANCTIONS EVASION NETWORK
World leaders react with condemnation, concern, and praise after the U.S. launches a strike on Venezuela as Trump claims Maduro was allegedly captured. (JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)
Petro said Colombia is taking preventive measures to «protect the civilian population» and «preserve stability on the Colombian-Venezuelan border,» although he did not provide exact details.
Mexico also condemned the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, saying it was a «clear violation» of international law and urging an end to what it described as «any acts of aggression» against Venezuela.
«Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace,» a statement released by the Mexican foreign ministry reads. The statement was shared by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on X.
It warned that any military action puts regional stability at «serious risk.»
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the strikes.
Meanwhile, President Javier Milei of Argentina, a close ally of Trump, praised the news by sharing a previous video of him denouncing Maduro’s «narco-terrorist» regime as a regional threat and urging Latin American leaders to back U.S. pressure to end it.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARGETS MADURO’S INNER CIRCLE, FAMILY IN MAJOR NARCO-STATE CRACKDOWN
Demonstrators hold posters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, right, and late former President Hugo Chávez during a rally in Caracas, Venezuela. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
«Long live freedom, dammit!» Milei wrote, using his signature pro-freedom chant.
In Europe, European Council President António Costa said he was following developments in Venezuela «with great concern,» urging de-escalation and respect for international law.
«The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations,» Costa said, adding that the bloc would continue to support a «peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution» in Venezuela.
In the U.K., Reform leader and staunch Trump ally Nigel Farage questioned the legality of the attack but said it may lead to a favorable outcome.
Argentina President Javier Milei praised the news by sharing a previous video of him denouncing Maduro’s «narco-terrorist» regime as a regional threat. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
«The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law — but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing,» Farage wrote. «I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro.
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Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the government called on citizens to mobilize against what it labeled an «imperialist attack,» urging, «People to the streets!»
Regional reaction elsewhere in Latin America was muted in the early hours after the strike, with several governments remaining silent as uncertainty grew over who was in control in Caracas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
world,world politics,south america,venezuelan political crisis,military,donald trump
INTERNACIONAL
La fiscal general de Estados Unidos confirmó la imputación de Nicolás Maduro por narcoterrorismo
En una declaración oficial difundida en redes sociales, la fiscal general Pamela Bondi confirmó la imputación de Nicolás Maduro y su esposa, Cilia Flores, en el tribunal del Distrito Sur de Nueva York, un hecho que eleva la tensión diplomática entre Venezuela y Estados Unidos. “Nicolás Maduro ha sido acusado de conspiración para narcoterrorismo, conspiración para importar cocaína, posesión de ametralladoras y artefactos destructivos, y conspiración para poseer ametralladoras y artefactos destructivos contra Estados Unidos”, afirmó Bondi.
La gravedad de los cargos ilustra la magnitud de la investigación. La funcionaria estadounidense subrayó el alcance internacional de la acusación, al precisar que “pronto, enfrentarán toda la fuerza de la justicia estadounidense en suelo estadounidense y en tribunales estadounidenses”.
El comunicado reservó palabras de reconocimiento para las autoridades y fuerzas militares estadounidenses involucradas. De acuerdo con Bondi, “en nombre de todo el Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos, quiero agradecer al presidente Trump por tener el coraje de exigir rendición de cuentas en nombre del pueblo estadounidense”.
El respaldo institucional incluyó un elogio expreso para los equipos responsables de la operación, que consideró un éxito operacional. La fiscal general añadió: “Y un enorme agradecimiento a nuestros valientes militares, quienes llevaron a cabo la increíble y altamente exitosa misión para capturar a estos dos presuntos narcotraficantes internacionales”, destacó Bondi en X.
Maduroenfrentará a la justicia federal de Estados Unidos tras ser capturado por el Ejército norteamericano en la madrugada de este sábado. El líder chavista es acusado de liderar el “Cartel de los Soles”, una organización que fue incluida por el gobierno de Donald Trump en la lista de grupos narcoterroristas.
Entre las acusaciones figuran conspiración para narcotráfico internacional, narcoterrorismo, conspiración para importar cocaína a territorio estadounidense y vínculos con organizaciones armadas, como las FARC, para emplear el narcotráfico con fines políticos.
Fuertes explosiones, acompañadas de sonidos similares a los de aviones sobrevolando la zona, se registraron alrededor de las 02:00 hora local (06:00 GMT) de este sábado en Caracas. Se trató del ataque “a gran escala” llevado adelante por el ejército estadounidense, según la confirmación del presidente Trump.
“Estados Unidos ha llevado a cabo con éxito un ataque a gran escala contra Venezuela y su líder,el presidente Nicolás Maduro, fue capturado y trasladado en avión junto con su esposa, fuera del país”, escribió el mandatario en un mensaje en su red Truth Social.
A través de las redes sociales, los usuarios postearon videos de explosiones y sobrevuelos en la capital venezonala. En ese sentido, también reportaron ataques aéreos en las bases militares La Carlota y Fuerte Tiuna, mientras residentes de la capital afirman escuchar el ruido de aviones sobrevolando la zona.
En una breve entrevista telefónica con el diario The New York Times durante la madrugada, Trump reiteró que consideraba la operación como “brillante”.
La captura de Maduro y Flores marca un punto de inflexión en la crisis venezolana, mientras la comunidad internacional permanece atenta a los próximos anuncios de las autoridades estadounidenses.
Según informó el senador republicano Mike Lee tras mantener una conversación con el secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, Nicolás Maduro fue capturado por Estados Unidos y enfrentará un juicio penal en territorio estadounidense. Según Lee, Rubio indicó además que, tras la detención, no se prevén nuevas acciones militares en el país.
El funcionario estadounidense mencionó meses atrás que Maduro era considerado por Estados Unidos como “fugitivo de la justicia norteamericana” y “narcoterrorista”. En ese sentido, sostuvo que el recientemente capturado no era “ni líder legítimo, ni jefe de Estado” en Venezuela. Señaló que un gran jurado en el estado de Nueva York lo encausó por delitos de narcotráfico y terrorismo.
North America,Government / Politics,WASHINGTON
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