News Releases

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

Highlights commitment to public safety and continues to combat dangerous federal overreach 

RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jay Jones visited Petersburg to discuss gun violence prevention strategies and resources, secured a legal victory in the fight to hold Meta accountable, and continued working to protect the fundamental rights of Virginians by holding Donald Trump accountable for his illegal actions.  

Keeping the Commonwealth Safe 

Last week, a California court cleared the way for a major case brought on by the Commonwealth and attorneys general nationwide, alleging that Meta designed and deployed harmful features on its platforms, addicting children and teens to their severe mental and physical detriment. As a result of this victory, the case will proceed to trial on August. On Tuesday, Attorney General Jay Jones visited Petersburg to discuss gun violence prevention with state and local officials, advocates, representatives of public health organizations, and community leaders. The roundtable allowed for a meaningful discussion that will help drive gun violence prevention efforts across the Commonwealth.   

PRESS RELEASE: ICYMI: Ahead of Meta Trial, Attorney General Jones Secures Critical Win  

“Meta put profits over the health and safety of our children. For too long, Big Tech companies have been able to leverage their excessively deep pockets and armies of lawyers to skirt accountability for their actions and harm to our communities,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “The court’s ruling is a major step toward accountability and sends a clear message to Meta and other social media platforms that they are not above the law. The Commonwealth looks forward to the upcoming trial and intends to fight tirelessly to bring critical reforms that will protect the wellbeing of Virginians.” 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Visits Petersburg to Discuss Gun Violence Prevention   

"Safe communities are the cornerstone of strong families, thriving businesses, and healthy neighborhoods. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with leaders in Petersburg to hear firsthand about the ways in which gun violence has impacted them and the support they need to address the issues,” Attorney General Jay Jones said. “Effective gun violence prevention goes beyond reacting to incidents. It requires creating environments where people feel protected, engaged, and empowered. Conversations like these are essential to understanding the challenges facing communities across Virginia and identifying real solutions.”    

WTVR: Petersburg leaders gather to address spike in gun violence, announce $500K prevention grant 

Recent gun violence in Petersburg led a state senator to convene a roundtable discussion Tuesday morning aimed at finding ways to stop violent crime in the historic city. 

More than 20 community leaders from law enforcement, nonprofits, clergy, and the city of Petersburg gathered at the table. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones moderated the discussion. 

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Jones said the turnout at the roundtable gave him encouragement. 

"To see the number of people who showed up this morning, really does give me a sense of encouragement about peoples’ investment here and making this the best community possible," Jones said. 

FOX Richmond: Politicians and Petersburg leaders meet to address gun violence surge 

Police, pastors, educators, city council members and state leaders gathered at Good Shephard Baptist Church on Tuesday to discuss a surge in gun violence in the city, weeks after five people were shot in downtown Petersburg and a 16-year-old boy was killed at the Petersburg East Apartments. 

Attorney General Jay Jones was also in attendance and said the meeting was intended to identify barriers and solutions. 

“By bringing the people together in this room, we can understand perspectives, experiences, the barriers of progress and the tools that we could use to build safer communities,” Jones said. 

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Petersburg Police Chief Travis Christian said the city has been trending in a positive direction overall, but that recent incidents can overshadow that progress. 

“This is a city that’s on the rise. And this is a city where you will continue to see good things and city where you will continue to see our partnerships come together and do everything they can to make our city safe,” Christian said. 

Richmond Times Dispatch: AG Jay Jones convenes Petersburg leaders after recent shootings 

Weeks after a violent wave of shootings swept through Petersburg, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones convened local leaders there Tuesday to discuss how the city can reduce gun violence. 

Police, pastors, educators, social workers and elected officials gathered at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, where participants called for stronger coordination among organizations already working to prevent violence. 

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Jones said his office organized Tuesday's discussion to hear directly from those working in the community about what is driving violence and how state and local agencies can better work together. 

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Jones said the Tuesday roundtable was only the beginning of the discussion. 

“We are not an adversary,” he said of his office. “We are here to collaborate, we are here to support, and we are here to help.” 

Fighting Federal Overreach 

The Commonwealth continued to demand accountability from federal agencies by fighting against overreach. Attorney General Jones joined several coalitions focused on safeguarding the right to vote by mail, demanding transparency from ICE, and protecting the First Amendment rights of federal civil servants.  

PRESS RELEASES: Attorney General Jones Joins Multistate Opposition to Postal Service’s Attempt to Undermine Voting Rights   

“Mail-in voting is safe and fair under Virginia’s election laws. This refusal to rescind the proposed rule is a blatant attack on voting rights and part of a larger effort to create confusion and chaos ahead of the 2026 midterms,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “The people will not let these strikes on fundamental rights go without a fight and this office is ready to use every legal resource to stand up against federal overreach.”    

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Calls on ICE to Reverse Dangerous New Policy 

“These systems of accountability exist to protect those who are most vulnerable, and I will not stand by while they get stripped away by those attempting to abuse their power,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “With the disturbing rise in reports of abuse and death in ICE detention facilities in the recent months, transparency is more important now than ever. This change in policy is an abhorrent attempt by ICE and the DHS to sidestep responsibility for their dangerous actions, and we won’t allow it. The public is demanding transparency and accountability, and as Attorney General that is exactly what I will fight for.”        

Virginia Mercury: Virginia joins multistate push against ICE rollback on detainee death reporting 

Virginia is joining a 22-state effort led by New York Attorney General Letitia James urging President Donald Trump’s administration to reverse a new federal policy ending investigations and public reporting of deaths that occur shortly after immigrants are released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. 

The change rescinds a 2021 Biden administration policy that required ICE to notify Congress and investigate when detainees had died within 30 days of being released from custody.  

Attorney General Jay Jones announced Monday that Virginia had joined the coalition calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs Enforcement to restore the previous reporting standards. The attorneys general argue the policy change weakens public oversight as concerns about conditions inside immigration detention facilities grow.  

The coalition sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella criticizing the policy shift and warning it could allow detention facilities to avoid scrutiny when critically ill detainees die soon after their release. 

The Center Square: Virginia joins ICE policy challenge 

Virginia's attorney general has joined 22 others from across the nation and in the District of Columbia in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to reverse a recent ICE policy change. 

Attorney General Jay Jones announced Monday that Virginia joined the coalition. In a June 25 letter, the coalition asked Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella to rescind the directive and restore the previous policy. 

The attorneys general say the revised directive eliminates provisions for reviewing and publicly reporting certain deaths occurring within 30 days after an individual is released from ICE custody. 

Augusta Free Press: Jay Jones joins AG coalition pushing ICE on deaths of recently released detainees 

ICE quietly decided last month that it would no longer report the deaths of detainees who had been recently released from custody, with a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, issued after the policy change hit the news following reporting from the national media, calling the move “common sense.” 

The Biden administration had instituted the now-shuttered policy in 2021, to ensure that the agency would be held accountable for releasing people who had become severely ill from custody, for probably obvious reasons. 

“These systems of accountability exist to protect those who are most vulnerable, and I will not stand by while they get stripped away by those attempting to abuse their power,” Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones said. 

Jones’ office announced Monday that the AG has joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in urging the DHS and ICE to reverse the new policy. 

The state AG coalition notes in a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturell that public health professionals and elected officials have been prevented from conducting routine checks on ICE facilities, amid reports that detainees have reportedly been denied access to adequate medical care and placed in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Slams Trump Administration’s Proposed Non-Disclosure Agreement for Federal Employees   

“The Trump administration’s latest action actively censors federal public servants in an effort to shield the public from his dangerous, destructive, and illegal actions,” said Attorney General Jones. “This is not about protecting sensitive information; it is a clear attempt to avoid accountability. This is a blatant attack on the First Amendment, which will only further erode public trust in our institutions. I am proud to stand in opposition.”    

Combating the Cost Crisis 

Attorney General Jay Jones and a coalition of 21 other states are urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to change course and drop its plan to continue Trump’s illegal tariffs. In a comment letter, the states pushed back on the USTR’s latest proposal – tariffs on the European Union and 59 other countries, after the Supreme Court ruled against their first attempt in February and the Court of International Trade struck down their second attempt in May.  

PRESS RELEASE: Amidst Cost Crisis, Virginia Urges U.S. Trade Representative to Stop Hitting American Consumers and Businesses with Illegal Tariffs    

“Virginians are making difficult choices about whether to put gas in their cars or buy groceries for their families.  The consequences of Donald Trump’s unlawful, reckless whims continue to be pushed onto the people, forcing consumers and small businesses to make impossible decisions,” said Attorney General Jones. “This lack of respect for the people and the rule of law will not be accepted as business as usual. My office will fight to hold the President accountable and lower costs for hardworking Virginians.” 

Published on: July 10, 2026 

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