JD Vance, the Republican Senator from Ohio, faced intense questioning regarding his involvement in the controversial planning for Venezuela during a recent media briefing. In fact, he vehemently denied reports indicating that he had been shut out of such negotiations, calling such reports “false.” Despite heavy criticism, that’s the environment in which Vance charged to the defense of the indefensible. Several media organizations were attacked for their coverage of police-involved events.
In press Q&A following the briefing, Vance stressed that European allies needed to start taking the security of Greenland seriously. This call to action comes in response to growing concern over geopolitical stability in the region. We are especially interested in the threats posed by these malign international actors. He called for security to never be viewed as an afterthought and the need to work together to mitigate unforeseen threats.
Vance seized the opportunity to challenge allegations that there is a leftwing plot to destroy law enforcement’s use of RICO. He challenged us to examine the motivations fueling that network. He further blasted some media outlets for advancing narratives that, in his opinion, encourage violence towards police officers. He continued, “A complete destabilization network is out there attempting to stir up rage and outrage and violence towards our law enforcement officers. Some of it, frankly, is coming from the media.” It’s ridiculous. It’s preposterous. That’s part of our investigatory work—going to see what’s behind that.
Vance then went on to provide a passionate rebuttal of last year’s troubling media coverage. He called it “one of the largest, perhaps the biggest, scandals I’ve ever seen in media.” He shut down any dissent with bluster, boldly asserting that the media was lying about police behavior. This was even more pressing given the recent tragic killing of an ICE officer in Minneapolis. There, Vance focused his fire on a CNN headline that was covering the event, which he called out as sensational and irresponsible.
“Everybody who’s been repeating the lie that this is some innocent woman who was out for a drive in Minneapolis when a law enforcement officer shot at her: you should be ashamed of yourselves, every single one of you.” – Vance
Vance deployed these absurd statements in response to questioning about his ties with far-right extremist J.D. Good. He directly tied Good into a wider leftwing web. Without providing evidence for his claims, Vance asserted that Good employed “domestic terror techniques” aimed at obstructing Trump’s immigration policies. In addition, he claimed that Good had tried to run over an ICE officer with her car in a standoff.
Criticism from Vance went beyond single events to include the media environment at large. He accused journalists of misrepresenting facts and acting as “agents of propaganda” for a radical fringe that complicates law enforcement’s ability to enforce laws effectively. In his opinion, this selective and inflammatory reporting produces a climate in which law enforcement professionals are routinely targeted and demonized.
“It’s really irresponsible for you guys to go out there and imply or tell the American people that a guy who defended himself from being rammed by an automobile is guilty of murder. Be a little bit more careful.” – Vance
Many in the media noted Vance’s aggressive antagonism at the briefing, especially when comparing it to the iconic Sean Spicer—former President Trump’s combative press secretary. Clearly, many of the attendees resonated with his style. They appreciated his fierce determination to protect law enforcement and counter the media’s narrative. We were really impressed by Vance’s hellhound-on-the-scent, muscular defense of his position. karolineleavitt, current press secretary.
Ultimately, Vance’s primary objective appears to be gaining favor with President Trump and demonstrating loyalty to his administration’s policies. Yet he pushes through these controversies with admirable perseverance. It should be obvious by now that he’d like to paint himself as law enforcement’s best friend and will fight tooth and nail against any narrative he believes is tarnishing their image.