JD Vance calls on Dems to dial down rhetoric, stop calling opponents 'Nazis' amid rise in political violence

Vice President JD Vance visited Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday, where he urged Democratic lawmakers to stop labeling political opponents as "Nazis," saying such rhetoric fuels political violence.

Vance delivered a speech that was originally planned to center around tax cuts and public safety, with an announcement emphasizing that the Trump administration is “committed to empowering state and local law enforcement.” North Carolina has recently been at the center of conversations of public safety following the death of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zaurtska, who was stabbed to death on a light rail train by a suspect who had previously been arrested 14 times.

During his remarks, Vance highlighted the rise in political violence, saying inflammatory language from Democratic leaders has contributed to violence.

“When they encourage us to unmask ICE law enforcement officers, what do you think is gonna happen?” he asked. “What's gonna happen is political violence and it has gotten out of control in this country. We gotta stop it, we gotta condemn it, and that starts unfortunately at the very top of the Democratic Party."

He added, “If you want to stop political violence, stop attacking our law enforcement as the Gestapo. If you want to stop political violence, stop telling your supporters that everybody who disagrees with you is a Nazi.”

Vance’s remarks followed a shooting on Wednesday at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas. Police said the suspect, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, carried out what ICE officials described as a “clear attack on ICE.” FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that rounds found at the scene contained anti-ICE messages.

In a post on X regarding the shooting, Vance wrote, “The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop. I'm praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.”