News Releases

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

Applauds Virginia’s election workers and voters, fights to block construction of Trump’s illegal arch, secures $6.5 million data privacy settlement, and advocates for 2030 census integrity 

RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones continues to deliver on the promise to fight for all Virginians, working to block construction of Donald Trump’s illegal vanity project, standing up against proposed changes to the 2030 census, and securing Virginia a $6.5 million settlement in a data privacy case. Attorney General Jones also commended Virginians for turning out at the polls and voting for a better future.  

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Statement on Virginia’s 2026 Election Results    

“These results are a big win for Virginians who turned out to reject Donald Trump’s extremism and voted for a better future for themselves and their loved ones. I’m deeply encouraged by the overwhelming support for amendments that will enshrine reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and voting rights in our Constitution. These results reflect the hope, dignity, and shared values of Virginians who believe everyone deserves the freedom to make personal decisions about their lives and families.   

This progress has taken decades of dedication by countless advocates, including my father. As a Delegate, my late father Jerrauld C. Jones championed one of the original bills to restore voting rights to Virginians who had paid their debt. I proudly followed in his footsteps in 2021, and I’m grateful to see this essential right restored for so many who have fought tirelessly for their place in our democracy.   

This is a historic moment for all of Virginia, filled with pride, optimism, and the promise of a better future for every community across the Commonwealth.” 

Fighting Federal Overreach 

Attorney General Jones filed a lawsuit to block construction of Donald Trump’s illegal “triumphal” arch, arguing that the project is an affront to our nation’s capital. Also this week, Attorney General Jones joined the fight against proposed changes that would compromise the accuracy and integrity of the 2030 census, secured a decision by a federal district court finding the Trump Administration’s implementation of new Medicaid work requirements unlawful, and joined a coalition in filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from gutting a law that helps law enforcement catch fraudsters and tax cheats.   

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Sues to Block Donald Trump’s Illegal Vanity Project   

“Virginia takes immense pride in being home to Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of generations of American heroes who gave their lives defending our nation. President Trump’s illegal vanity project is an affront to this hallowed ground and the extraordinary sacrifices it represents. The Commonwealth has a solemn duty and a profound interest in preserving the dignity of this sacred place. We will vigorously litigate to protect its sanctity and honor the legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Attorney General Jay Jones.  

"Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of generations of Americans who have answered the call to defend the promise of our nation," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "President Trump's proposed 250-foot arch would literally cast a shadow on this hallowed ground and overshadow the legacy of the generations of courageous men and women who are laid to rest at Arlington." 

The Washington Informer: D.C., Virginia Fight Trump’s 250-Foot Arch 

For nearly a century, an unobstructed view across the Potomac River has connected the Lincoln Memorial with Arlington National Cemetery and the former home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The carefully designed corridor commemorates a nation reunited after the Civil War, its open landscape preserving a visual connection between the president who fought to save the Union and the Virginia estate of the general who fought against it. 

President Donald Trump wants to erect a 250-foot triumphal arch directly in that historic sightline, a towering monument with statues, an observation deck, and proposed military capabilities that could include drones, snipers, and ammunition. 

D.C. and Virginia officials have gone to federal court to stop him, alleging the administration is preparing to begin construction without congressional authorization, violating federal preservation laws and potentially endangering Washington residents. 

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Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones condemned what he called “Trump’s illegal vanity project,” arguing that its placement would dishonor the cemetery and the sacrifices of those buried there. 

“The Commonwealth has a solemn duty and a profound interest in preserving the dignity of this sacred place,” Jones said. “We will vigorously litigate to protect its sanctity and honor the legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.” 

The complaint alleges violations of the Commemorative Works Act, which requires congressional authorization for federal monuments, and Washington’s Height of Buildings Act, which generally restricts buildings along commercial streets to 130 feet. 

The National Park Service’s own environmental findings acknowledge that the arch would obstruct the historic view between Arlington House and the Lincoln Memorial. Its height would also compete visually with the Washington Monument. 

Washington Business Journal: Virginia and D.C. sue to halt Trump's 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle 

The lawsuit argues the arch violates multiple federal laws and will disrupt traffic, security and emergency operations. 

The Well News: DC, Virginia Sue to Block Trump’s Triumphal Arch Near Arlington Cemetery 

The District of Columbia and Virginia filed a federal lawsuit Saturday seeking to stop President Donald Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch between the National Mall and Arlington National Cemetery. 

The lawsuit argues that the project is “flagrantly unlawful” because it ignores the need for congressional authorization and for procedures required by law for construction on federal land. 

It also mentions risks of traffic congestion and of airline collisions with the towering arch near the flight path to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 

The site would be in a traffic circle used by more than 27,000 vehicles a day. Construction is planned to last about three years. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Fights Against Proposed Unlawful Changes to 2030 Census   

“The Trump administration will stop at nothing to undermine and chip away at our democracy, and their recent effort to attack the census process is the latest example,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Census data determines congressional seats. Census data informs the policy and programs that serve communities. This isn’t a tweak to the way a census is run – it's Trump’s effort to rig the board, and my office will not stand for it.”      

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Celebrates Major Victory Blocking Implementation of Unlawful Medicaid Work Requirements for Medically Vulnerable Individuals 

“More than 1.8 million Virginians rely on Medicaid to manage complex medical issues, like cancer, stroke care/recovery, and even renal failure, and they deserve clear, stable health insurance. The Trump Administration’s efforts to rip healthcare coverage away from those who need it most is unconscionable and illegal,” said Attorney General Jones. “America’s healthcare system is strained, Virginians are making difficult decisions just to cover day-today expenses, and this rule would have exacerbated the burden.” 

"Cancer patients shouldn't be forced to jump through bureaucratic hoops to access the lifesaving care they need," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "This ruling affirms that patients deserve timely access to the care their doctors recommend - not unnecessary red tape. As the Trump Administration threatens healthcare coverage, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect patients, make sure families can see their doctors, and push back against the chaos out of Washington." 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Challenges Trump Administration’s Gift to Fraudsters and Tax Cheats   

“The Trump administration has rendered the Corporate Transparency Act, a bipartisan law that supported the work of law enforcement, toothless,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “Investigators can no longer use the database this law created to hold bad actors accountable. Instead of looking out for consumers, supporting law enforcement, and lifting up lawful business practices, Donald Trump has given white collar criminals a leg up in skirting the justice system. Virginians deserve better.”   

Protecting Virginians 

Attorney General Jones joined a coalition of 36 attorneys general in the case against General Motors, alleging that the company illegally sold consumers’ private driver behavior data and location information to third parties, including data brokers who then sold the data to insurance companies. General Motors will pay $220 million to settle allegations, and the Commonwealth will receive $6,541,173 through the settlement. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Secures $6.5 Million for the Commonwealth in General Motors Data Privacy Settlement    

“I am proud that this agreement marks Virginia’s first publicly announced settlement under the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act. When a company breaks Virginians’ trust and abuses the data privacy laws on the books, this office will hold them accountable,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “This information was identifiable and used against drivers. The injunctive relief this settlement brings will be a step in the right direction, making sure that something like this doesn’t happen to Virginians’ data again.”   

WFXR: Virginia secures $6.5 million in General Motors data privacy settlement 

General Motors will pay Virginia $6.5 million to settle allegations that it illegally sold consumers’ private driver behavior data and location information to third parties, according to the Office of Attorney General Jay Jones. 

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) announced in a press release on Thursday, Oct. 29, that the data privacy settlement came through a coalition of 36 attorneys general in the case against General Motors. 

The full settlement totals $220 million, of which an OAG spokesperson said Virginia will receive about $6.5 million. 

The settlement reportedly requires General Motors to get consent from consumers before collecting or disclosing consumer driving and location data. For many consumers, OAG said this data was used by insurance companies in part to set insurance rates. 

Richmond Times Dispatch: Va. to receive $6.5M from General Motors settlement 

Virginia is set to receive $6.5 million in a proposed settlement over allegations that General Motors sold drivers’ personal data without their knowledge to brokers who resold it to insurance companies, which sometimes used it to set or raise insurance premiums. 

Attorney General Jay Jones joined a group of 36 attorneys general in the case against General Motors, altogether securing $220 million to settle the allegations. 

Insurance NewsNet 

Virginia Lawyers Weekly: Va. AG secures $6.5M in GM customer data settlement 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced on Oct. 29 that Virginia will receive just over $6.5 million from a $220 million settlement between General Motors and a coalition of 36 state attorneys general. 

The settlement will settle allegations that the automaker illegally sold consumers’ private driver behavior data and location information to third parties that then sold that data to insurance companies. 

Jones said in a statement that it marks the first publicly announced settlement under the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act. 

[...] 

The litigation stemmed from GM’s “Smart Driver” program, rolled out in 2015 as part of its OnStar in-vehicle entertainment and safety feature. Per the complaint, the program was promoted “as a tool to help consumers drive safer by providing information about their driving behavior.” 

Published on: November 5, 2026

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