Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a blistering rebuke of the White House press corps on Thursday, taking direct aim at legacy media outlets for distorting facts surrounding the recent shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Speaking from the podium in the White House briefing room, Vance defended the federal agent’s actions and accused far-left journalists of promoting false narratives to undermine immigration enforcement.
Reading directly from headlines on his phone, Vance pointed out the selective language used by outlets like CNN, which framed the incident as an unjustified killing. Vance reminded the room that the woman who was shot had interfered with a lawful federal operation and posed a threat to officers on the ground. He emphasized that the ICE agent had acted in self-defense.
Vance accused activist journalists of leaving out critical context. He stated the woman was part of a coordinated left-wing network aimed at obstructing federal law enforcement, using tactics that include doxing, harassment, and in some cases, violent resistance. He challenged reporters to stop acting as mouthpieces for radicals and instead report honestly on the facts.
When one reporter implied the shooting victim was merely a protester, Vance pushed back sharply. He reminded the press that the woman had used her vehicle in a threatening manner and that the ICE agent had no choice but to defend himself. Vance criticized the media for presuming guilt on the part of law enforcement and giving cover to criminal interference with federal duties.
He also addressed recent reports claiming he and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard were excluded from planning the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Vance flatly denied the rumors, saying both he and Gabbard were actively involved as directed by President Trump.
In closing, Vance defended the ICE agent, noting it was the second time this officer had been injured by a vehicle during duty. He called the media’s portrayal of the incident disgraceful and accused them of smearing a man who was doing his job under dangerous conditions.
The administration’s position was clear: law enforcement will be backed, and media bias will be called out. Unlike past Republican administrations, the Trump White House is on offense and unapologetic.
