Vance remarks on fatal ICE-shooting and fraud allegations in Minnesota
Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during a press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC on January 8, 2026. (Landon Shackelford/AKSM Photography)
Vice President JD Vance criticized attacks on law enforcement and asserted new government changes to confront fraudulent social services during a White House press briefing on Thursday.
Article by Abigail Gambla, Assistant Chief White House Producer
WASHINGTON - Thursday afternoon, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Vice President JD Vance made several remarks on the recent fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an ICE agent, as well as developments regarding fraudulent social services. The Vice President briefly answered questions regarding the Senate vote on the War Powers Resolution and Greenland’s autonomy.
Leavitt initiated the briefing by establishing the administration's support of ICE in the aftermath of the ICE-related shooting in Minnesota.
“Let me be clear. President Trump and his entire administration stand fully behind the heroic men and women of ICE, and will always uphold law and order in the United States of America."
Leavitt then criticized the Democratic party's unwillingness to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics and border control.
“Democrats are calling to defund federal agencies who are protecting public safety and democrats are calling to abolish ice and defund the police.”
Leavitt then invited Vice President Vance to the podium for the remainder of the briefing. In regards to the incident in Minnesota, Vance spoke on how the government would act moving forward.
“The department of homeland security will continue to operate on the ground in Minnesota, not only to remove criminal illegal aliens but also to continue conducting door to door investigations of the rampant fraud that has taken place in the state under the failed and corrupt leadership of Governor Tim Walz.”
Answering a question regarding fraudulent childcares and SNAP benefits, VP Vance addressed how the government plans to combat the alleged fraud across several states, including adding a new position in the White House.
“We are creating a new assistant attorney general position who will have nationwide jurisdiction over the issue of fraud.”
Vance addressed the democratic party, asserting that there are left-wing networks urging people to obstruct ICE operations.
“The democrats have to stop rallying the mob against legitimate law enforcement operations”
Vance then went on to answer a question on how the tension between citizens and the administration can be de-escalated.
“The best way to turn down the temperature is to tell people to take their concerns about immigration policy to the ballot box. Stop assaulting and inciting violence against our law enforcement officers.”
Directing his statement towards the media personnel in the briefing room, Vance criticized them for misrepresenting the fatal ICE shooting and referring to the ICE agent as a murderer.
“The idea that this was not justified is absurd.”
Vance urged those encouraged to protest to take to the ballot box in lieu of taking their frustrations out on those enacting the law.
“Why can’t you just disagree with a given piece of immigration policy without turning law enforcement into the enemy?”
Regarding the reasoning Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota should resign after the fraud within social services became evident, Vance condemned the governor’s actions.
“I think Tim Walz should resign because it's very clear either that he knew about the fraud in Minneapolis, he knew about the welfare fraud or at the very least he looked the other way.”
Vance asserted that the administration would be heavily investigating both events.
“These people should not feel emboldened because they have for the first time, maybe in American history, an administration that is not going to tolerate political violence of any kind from anywhere.”