Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones Unveils Ambitious Day One Agenda

Attorney General Jay Jones Assumes Office with Bold First-Day Actions

Richmond, VA – On January 17, 2026, Jay Jones officially assumed office as the 49th Attorney General of Virginia, immediately outlining a comprehensive agenda aimed at protecting Virginians, defending the Constitution, and ensuring the office serves the public interest. His inaugural actions include joining significant litigation against the Trump administration and initiating a thorough review of existing legal agreements.

Joining Litigation Against the Trump Administration

Attorney General Jones wasted no time in fulfilling a campaign promise to challenge what he described as the Trump administration's 'destructive overreach'. His office announced its intent to join and advance several key legal battles. These include efforts to prevent the dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has been instrumental in returning billions of dollars to consumers. Additionally, Jones's office will challenge the mass termination of 10,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services and work to prevent the proposed firing of half the Department of Education's staff, which he views as an erosion of its mission.

Comprehensive Review of Existing Agreements and Litigation

In a move to ensure accountability and protect the rights of Virginians, Attorney General Jones has launched a 30-day comprehensive review of all existing litigation. This review will determine which lawsuits the Commonwealth should either join or withdraw from. Furthermore, his team will scrutinize any agreements entered into with the Trump administration that may 'surrender Virginians' rights in order to receive benefits they are already entitled to, restrict access to grant funding, or otherwise limit our freedoms.' Following this review, a plan will be developed and implemented to address any identified issues.

Protecting Fundamental Rights and Redistricting

Beyond the immediate legal challenges, Attorney General Jones emphasized his broader mission to 'keep Virginians safe, lower costs, and protect fundamental rights.' As part of his day one initiatives, he issued an opinion reaffirming the General Assembly's efforts to lawfully advance a constitutional redistricting amendment. This action underscores his commitment to protecting Virginians' rights in the electoral process. Jones stated, 'This office belongs to the people of Virginia. We will use every lawful tool to ensure justice works for everyone in every corner of the Commonwealth.'