Vice President JD Vance defended the actions of the ICE officer who shot and killed a girl in Minneapolis, expressing seen frustration at what he mentioned is a characterization of the agent as a “federal murderer,” in remarks throughout a White Home press briefing.
He referred to as the girl’s actions an “assault on federal legislation enforcement” and an “assault on the American individuals,” asserting that “she was making an attempt to ram this man along with her automobile.”
“He shot again. He defended himself,” Vance mentioned of the ICE officer.
“The explanation this girl is useless, is as a result of she tried to ram any individual along with her automobile, and that man acted in self-defense,” Vance mentioned. “That’s the reason she misplaced her life, and that’s the tragedy.”
Vice President JD Vance speaks throughout a briefing on the White Home, Jan. 8, 2026, in Washington.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
On the identical time, Vance mentioned that it is up for debate what was going via the thoughts of the 37-year-old driver on the time.
“Look, if individuals wish to say that we must always have a authentic debate about, you recognize, what was she actually doing? Proper? Was she panicking when she drove into this officer, or was she really making an attempt to ram him? That is an inexpensive dialog,” he mentioned.
“I do not know what’s in an individual’s coronary heart or in an individual’s head, and clearly, we’re not going to get the possibility to ask this girl what was occurring. What I’m sure of is that she violated the legislation,” he mentioned.
Vance additionally claimed, with out offering proof, that the taking pictures sufferer was a part of a “left-wing community” focusing on ICE officers.
When requested by ABC Information’ Rachel Scott who’s behind that alleged community, he mentioned, “It is one of many issues we’re gonna have to determine.
