Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California was pressed by a reporter about a disturbing statement. A Democratic candidate made the statement. Pelosi failed the test miserably.

The texts from Virginia attorney general nominee Jay Jones have roiled the campaign. Jones is a Democrat. His violent messages forced Democrats into uncomfortable silence. They want to avoid tipping the election.

Pelosi was speaking to Dana Bash of CNN when the issue came up.

Bash explained the situation to Pelosi.

“There is a Democrat running for attorney general who’s embroiled in a scandal over text messages in which he, the Democrat, said that the GOP speaker of the House of Delegates should get two bullets to the head for how he paid tribute to a former moderate Democratic lawmaker who died.”

“He has apologized. Should he get out of the race?”

Pelosi gave a weak response that avoided condemning Jones.

“Well, that’s up to the people, the leaders in Virginia. They have said he has apologized.”

“What I understand is, they say that on balance he’s the better person to be attorney general. But that’s up to them. But I wish there would be enough fuss of all the times that people have said they were gonna put a bullet in my head right in public, in the public domain.”

Pelosi then said we have to get rid of that kind of language. She said it’s just not appropriate.

The Republican National Committee posted video of Pelosi’s comments on social media. They called her SPINELESS.

Bash then asked Pelosi another question. Should Abigail Spanberger ask Jones to step down? Spanberger is the Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

“She has to do what she has to do. She’s going to be governor. She’s running very well.”

“Everybody is very proud of her candidacy. And her race is her race, and her state is her state, and it’s up to her. I really don’t get involved in other people’s races.”

Pelosi’s response reveals everything wrong with Democratic Party leadership. Jay Jones sent text messages fantasizing about shooting a Republican in the head. He talked about killing the man’s wife and children.

These are not minor comments. These are threats of political violence and murder. Any decent person would immediately condemn them.

But Pelosi refused to do so. Instead, she made excuses for Jones. She said Virginia leaders think he’s the better person to be attorney general. She said it’s up to them to decide.

Then Pelosi made herself the victim. She complained about threats against her own life. She tried to distract from Jones’ violent rhetoric by claiming she faces similar threats.

This is classic deflection. When confronted with wrongdoing by a Democrat, Pelosi changes the subject. She refuses to hold her own party accountable.

Pelosi claims we need to get rid of violent language. But she won’t demand that Jones drop out of the race. She won’t even say his comments were unacceptable.

The CNN interview exposed Pelosi’s moral bankruptcy. She had a simple opportunity to condemn political violence. She failed completely.

Jones fantasized about putting two bullets in a Republican’s head. He talked about the man’s wife watching their children die. He called the children little fascists.

These are the words of someone who should never hold public office. Yet Pelosi thinks he might be the better person to be attorney general.

Pelosi also refused to answer whether Spanberger should ask Jones to drop out. She said she doesn’t get involved in other people’s races. This is obviously false.

Pelosi has spent decades influencing Democratic races across the country. She raises money for candidates. She endorses candidates. She pressures candidates to drop out when convenient.

But when a Democratic candidate makes death threats against a Republican, suddenly Pelosi doesn’t get involved. The hypocrisy is stunning.

The Republican National Committee was right to call Pelosi spineless. She lacks the moral courage to condemn violence by Democrats. She makes excuses instead of taking a stand.

Democrats claim to oppose political violence. They spent years saying Trump’s rhetoric was dangerous. They blamed Republicans for creating a climate of violence.

But when one of their own fantasizes about murder, they stay silent. They protect the candidate because winning matters more than principles.

Pelosi’s response shows Democrats don’t actually care about violent rhetoric. They only care when it helps them politically. When it hurts them, they ignore it.

Virginia voters need to see this interview. They need to understand that Democratic leadership supports Jones despite his violent threats. Pelosi thinks he’s acceptable as attorney general.

This tells you everything about today’s Democratic Party. They tolerate violence as long as it’s directed at Republicans.