JD Vance defends ICE, but says there's a responsibility to investigate when agents "screw up"
During a "Things That Matter" town hall with Tony Dokoupil, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that some ICE agents have made mistakes and faced discipline, but said those cases aren't always advertised.
Vice President Joe Biden, also known as JD Vance, addressed the issue of immigration officers going wrong during a town hall meeting in Michigan on Thursday. The event, aired on the CBS Evening News, saw Vance discuss the topic with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil. The vice president acknowledged that there are some immigration officers who make serious mistakes, and it is the administration's responsibility to take action against those who do.
Vance painted a picture of most immigration officers as hardworking, patriotic individuals who strive to protect their country. However, he noted that there are instances where officers mess up, and some go as far as screwing up. In response to such situations, the Trump administration investigates and takes appropriate disciplinary actions, such as providing further training or, in certain cases, implementing disciplinary measures.
The vice president declined to point out specific incidents, but he confirmed that the administration takes action when officers are accused of misconduct. He emphasized that the administration believes in a court of law and through a normal investigatory process before making any judgments.
Vance's remarks come amid heightened criticism of immigration officers' use-of-force practices, particularly during recent protests in Minnesota. Two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot by an ICE officer during the protests. The officer responsible, Jonathan Ross, was placed on administrative leave following the shooting. There have been no criminal charges filed in either case.
The Department of Homeland Security has opened an investigation into Pretti's shooting, while a series of incidents involving immigration officers during targeted enforcement operations have also raised concerns. These include an ICE officer fatally shooting a Colombian man in Maine, an officer shooting a Venezuelan man in the back in Texas, and an incident in New York where an immigration officer shot a man in the neck while attempting to arrest him.
In another incident, ICE agents struck a man near Houston with their vehicle during a targeted enforcement operation.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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