Newly sworn-in Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has landed in hot water just days into his term over a glaring typo in an official graphic released by his office.

On Thursday, Jones’ office published a statement defending Virginia’s in-state tuition law for undocumented students, accompanied by a graphic that misspelled his title as “Attoney General,” prompting online criticism. The error was later corrected in an updated post on his official government X page.

When reached for comment, Jones’ office did not address the mistake in their response to Fox News Digital. Critics have seized on the blunder, arguing it overshadows Jones’ policy message during a heated debate over tuition benefits and immigration policy. The typo comes as Jones, who was elected last November alongside Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, faces heightened scrutiny due to past controversies from his campaign.

Early Misstep Draws Sharp Online Reaction

Let’s be honest: a typo isn’t the end of the world, but when it’s on your very title as the state’s top legal officer, it’s a bit of a self-own. Jones’ first major policy push—defending a law granting in-state tuition to undocumented students—was meant to signal defiance against the Trump administration.

“Go easy folks. Perhaps someone on the staff was just saying ‘Hey, Tony’ in a Jersey accent?” quipped Jason Miyares, the former Virginia Attorney General, on X. Nice try, but most Virginians expect a little more polish from the AG’s office, especially on day one.

The Virginia GOP wasn’t as kind, noting in a statement, “It took him a whole day to fix this.” That’s not exactly the lightning-fast accountability taxpayers hope for when errors crop up.

Typo Overshadows Policy on Tuition Law

Jones framed his defense of the tuition policy as a stand for Virginia families against federal overreach, a position that’s already divisive. Many hardworking citizens question why limited state resources should fund education benefits for those who aren’t here through legal channels.

“On day one, I promised Virginians I would fight back against the Trump Administration’s attacks on our Commonwealth, our institutions of higher education, and most importantly – our students,” Jones declared in a release.

Supporters might argue it’s a minor slip, but optics matter in politics, especially when you’re already under a microscope. Jones’ campaign history, including resurfaced text messages fantasizing about a political opponent’s family tragedy, already raised eyebrows.

Past Controversies Amplify Current Criticism

Jones’ tenure began with baggage, as those old messages about House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children stirred outrage during the campaign. While everyone deserves a chance to move forward, such history means every misstep gets magnified. A simple typo becomes a symbol of perceived incompetence for critics.

The Republican National Lawyers Association piled on, posting, “Jay Jones is struggling.” They suggested he rushed to pivot from past embarrassments only to botch the basics like spelling.

Jones’ team, meanwhile, is doubling down on his policy focus. A spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the AG is “protecting the Commonwealth from Donald Trump’s actions” and “scoring wins on affordability.”

Can Jones Regain Public Trust?

Look, everyone makes mistakes, and Jones shouldn’t be defined by a single graphic glitch. But in a role as visible as Attorney General, precision and professionalism are non-negotiable.

Virginians deserve to debate the tuition law on its merits, not a sideshow of spelling errors.

The real question is whether Jones can shift the narrative back to substance over slip-ups. With critics circling and past controversies lingering, he’ll need to tighten up his office’s output to avoid handing opponents more easy wins. A little proofreading could go a long way.