Soros-backed prosecutor downplays reaction to Dem AG nominee's violent rhetoric as 'false outrage'

Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti - whose office was previously embroiled in controversy over how it prosecuted a shopkeeper for shooting at burglars - slammed the media's coverage of Jones' texts envisioning the murder of a former top Republican official.

Dehghani-Tafti criticized Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, arguing he should act independently of the governor's office and voicing her support for Jones instead.

Referring to Hampton Roads' paper-of-record, Blue Virginia had written that the Virginian-Pilot's lead story and top op-ed were wrongly centered on Jones.

"Nothing on the government shutdown or decimation of CDC or a million other important stories," she wrote, before adding, "Your [quotes sic] 'liberal media' at work."

"If we fall for the false outrage and get frightened into abandoning Jay, Miyares as AG will remain Trump's right hand in Richmond," she warned.

The next-highest donor over that period was Alexandria attorney Christopher R.K. Leibig, who gave $10,900, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

In 2020, Dehghani-Tafti faced backlash for prosecuting a Shirlington smoke shop employee who fired at burglars after being awakened in the store's back room. Hamzeh Abushariah shot one intruder in the back as several young people broke in around 4:50 a.m., according to reports.

The prosecution argued Abushariah had other options, such as running away or barricading himself, according to reports. A judge initially denied bond at prosecutors' request, but a jury later acquitted him. Dehghani-Tafti told ABC's Washington affiliate she "cannot ethically discuss an ongoing investigation," adding there was evidence supporting the charges and urging the public "not to rush to judgment." 

Arlington County police later charged two juveniles in the burglary.

Democracy PAC and Democracy PAC II collectively poured more than $42 million into the 2022 races alone, according to FactCheck.org.