News Releases

WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN    

Combats the cost crisis, protects health of Virginia’s children, and stands up to fraud  

RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Jay Jones took action to address the issues keeping Virginians up at night, from rising prices to keeping children safe.  

Fighting the Cost Crisis 

Everyday necessities and basics are becoming harder to afford, a fact that people across the Commonwealth are struggling with. From securing a major ruling over USDA funding to standing against illegal tariffs in court, Attorney General Jay Jones took several actions to help Virginians fight the growing cost crisis. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Secures Preliminary Injunction Blocking Trump Administration's Arbitrary Conditions on Critical Food Security Funding 

“As Virginians face a growing cost crisis, President Trump is politicizing funding for critical USDA programs that help feed vulnerable children, hardworking families, senior citizens and rural communities,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Estimates show that nearly one million Virginians are facing hunger. Now more than ever, Virginians are relying on programs like SNAP and WIC to keep their families fed and healthy. This office will keep fighting for these crucial resources and the people who depend on them.” 

Reuters: Judge blocks Trump administration’s attempt to link USDA funds to compliance with other policies 

A judge on Friday blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from withholding tens of billions of dollars in federal funds from states ‌unless they complied with the Trump administration's policies... 

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USDA's conditions could affect nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the anti-poverty food stamp program, as well as the school lunch program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, the plaintiffs said. ⁠They alleged the USDA lacked authority to impose the new conditions, which they say violate the U.S. Constitution's Spending Clause and went into effect without going through required legal procedures. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Continues Fight for Virginians Amidst Cost Crisis   

24-state coalition defends recent court win and appeals procedural ruling over unlawful tariffs   

“Virginians are quite literally paying the consequences of Donald Trump’s illegal actions. Across the Commonwealth, people are worried about how they are going to make ends meet,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “The President continues to act as though he is above the law and beyond the boundaries of executive powers. He isn’t. Virginia joined this coalition to protect our communities, our industries, and the rule of law, and my office will keep doing just that.”    

Protecting Virginians 

Attorney General Jay Jones continues to focus on protecting Virginians from the dangers of vaping and fraud, calling for responsibility in racing sponsorships, and raising awareness about dangerous fraud schemes.  

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Multistate Effort Urging Formula 1 Racing to End Tobacco and Nicotine Product Sponsorships 

“As the attention of the world is focused on Formula 1 so are the eyes of Virginia’s children. Highly addictive products are making their way into F1 sponsorships and they’re targeting our kids,” said Attorney General Jones. “Racing organizations must take responsibility for how these sponsorships influence viewers, especially children. My office is committed to addressing the public health threat of tobacco and nicotine addiction and will continue working to keep Virginians safe.”    

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Announces New Tools to Combat Notario Fraud 

“Every Virginian deserves transparency and qualified assistance when they navigate the legal process. Unfortunately, Virginians have trusted notarios to act in roles they are not qualified to serve in, resulting in consumers being taken advantage of and left in the legal lurch,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Starting in July, my office will have new authority to take on notario fraud, which has proven detrimental to consumers, and keep our communities safe from bad actors.”    

Defending our Democracy 

The Office of the Attorney General is committed to ensuring that every Virginian’s voice is heard and that elections are run freely and fairly.  

Cardinal News: Attorney general opens review of Republican nomination process for Lynchburg City Council candidates 

State Attorney General Jay Jones on Monday launched a review of the Lynchburg Republican City Committee’s recent nomination process for three open city council seats, saying it “may have violated state law.”  

On May 30, the party’s firehouse primary whittled 10 candidates down to three nominees: Lynchburg Republican City Committee Chair Veronica Bratton and incumbents Marty Misjuns and Larry Taylor, who are set to advance to the general election for the city council in November. 

The nomination process was the first to be executed since a new state law that favors, but doesn’t explicitly require, state-run primaries was enacted. Known as Helmer’s law — named for its introduction by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax County — the legislation took effect in 2024 and requires nomination methods to make provisions for absentee voters. It left little room for party-run nominations to operate, as absentee voting is an element that they have never included or aren’t logistically able to. 

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“The OAG has reviewed allegations that the LRCC implemented an inadequate absentee ballot process for the primary, and that certain protected voters were excluded from participating in the election,” the letter, sent from Deputy Attorney General Helen Hardiman to acting chair of the Lynchburg Republican City Committee Sara Kalafian, reads. “Based on a review of these allegations and publicly available information, the OAG has concerns that the LRCC’s processes and practices may have violated state law by effectively disenfranchising” the five groups of voters protected by Helmer’s law: active-duty soldiers, college students, people with disabilities, people with contagious diseases that are a threat to public health and people temporarily living outside the country. 

“We are obviously going to fully cooperate with any requests,” Kalafian said in a phone call Monday. “His review is just based on the ability to cover the five categories of the classes of voters, which we’ve met completely. That’s always been our aim and goal, and we’re confident we addressed their concern.” 

WSET: Attorney General Jay Jones opens investigation into Lynchburg Republican Firehouse Primary 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has opened an investigation into the Lynchburg Republican City Committee's (LRCC) Firehouse Primary over their absentee ballot process. 

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"The OAG has reviewed allegations that the LRCC implemented an inadequate absentee ballot process for the primary, and that certain protected voters were excluded from participating in the election," the Office of the Attorney General wrote. "Based on a review of these allegations and publicly available information, the OAG has concerns that the LRCC’s processes and practices may have violated state law by effectively disenfranchising eligible active-duty soldiers, college students, and persons with disabilities." 

According to the letter, the office said the Attorney General has the "full authority" to take any necessary or appropriate action to enforce the Commonwealth's election laws. 

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According to the letter, the LRCC has until June 29 to comply with the letter. 

Published on: June 11, 2026

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