Vice-President Vance Condemns Minneapolis ICE Protests as 'Cowardly Bullshit'
US Vice-President JD Vance has delivered a forceful rebuke to protesters in Minneapolis who have been physically confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, dismissing their actions as 'cowardly bullshit'. Speaking during a factory visit in Toledo, Ohio, on Thursday morning, Vance urged demonstrators to channel their grievances through democratic processes rather than obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts on the streets.
Call for Ballot Box Action Over Street Confrontations
Vance emphasised that protesters should take their concerns to the ballot box instead of engaging in direct confrontations with ICE personnel. He highlighted instances in Minneapolis where protesters have blocked ICE vehicles and thrown objects at agents, arguing that such tactics only escalate tensions unnecessarily. 'If you want to turn down the chaos in Minneapolis, stop fighting immigration enforcement – we have to have a border in this country. It's not that hard,' Vance stated bluntly during his remarks.
Comparing Minneapolis to Other Democratic Cities
The Vice-President drew pointed comparisons between Minneapolis and other Democratic-led cities like Memphis, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas, where local authorities cooperate with ICE. Vance asserted that these cities experience less unrest precisely because of this collaboration between local police and federal agents. 'When you look at Memphis, Tennessee, or Austin, Texas, or any other community virtually across the United States of America, and you don't see the same level of chaos in Minneapolis, the natural conclusion is that it's not what ICE is doing in Minneapolis, it's what Minneapolis authorities are doing to prevent ICE from doing their jobs,' he explained.
Criticism of Minneapolis Leadership
Vance specifically criticised Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing him of instructing local police not to assist ICE agents. This lack of cooperation, Vance argued, forces ICE officers to conduct dangerous street-level operations without the protective support typically available in other jurisdictions. He noted that in recent months, ICE has arrested multiple individuals in Minneapolis with convictions for sexual offenses, but the absence of local coordination complicates these efforts.
'They throw the sex offender in the back of a car, deport that person, throw them in jail, whatever, and then they go home safely with their families. That's not what's happening,' Vance remarked, underscoring the risks faced by agents due to the hostile environment.
Planned Visit to Minneapolis
Vance announced plans to travel to Minneapolis later on Thursday to meet with ICE personnel and local officials. His visit aims to address the ongoing tensions and promote a message of reducing conflict through cooperation. The Vice-President's comments reflect a broader political stance emphasising strict immigration enforcement and criticising local resistance to federal policies.
This incident highlights the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, with Vance positioning himself as a vocal advocate for federal authority and criticising what he perceives as obstructive local practices in cities like Minneapolis.
