Vance blasts Democrats, Newsom after Dallas ICE shooting

Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday denounced Democratic rhetoric that he said undermines law enforcement, tying his critique to the shooting at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility earlier that morning. Speaking at an event in Concord, North Carolina, Vance said, "The very people who keep us safe ought to be honored and protected and praised by Democrats and Republicans alike." He urged both parties to unite in supporting law enforcement. The Dallas incident unfolded in the early hours of Sept. 24, when a gunman opened fire on an ICE van during detainee transfers at a Dallas facility. One person died and two were wounded, according to officials. The gunman, 29-year-old Joshua Jahn, shot himself on a rooftop as police closed in. Investigators found shell casings nearby bearing the words "ANTI-ICE." The shooting is being investigated as an act of targeted violence by the FBI's Dallas Field Office.

During his remarks, Vance argued that the very people who keep the public safe deserve broad support, not political attacks. He asserted that it is time to stop the rhetorical assaults on law enforcement and cautioned that statements from Democratic leaders and media coverage can embolden violent behavior. He referenced California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other critics as examples, saying that when political leaders portray ICE or its officers as part of an authoritarian apparatus, it risks inflaming individuals who might act violently. "If your political rhetoric encourages violence against our law enforcement, you can go straight to hell and you have no place in the political conversation of the United States of America," he said.

The remarks come as investigators continue to piece together what happened in Dallas and how the attacker chose his target. The FBI described the incident as an act of targeted violence, with special agents in charge of the Dallas field office detailing the sequence of events and the ongoing probe. Authorities indicated that the victims were migrant detainees held at the facility, and they stressed that no law enforcement officers were injured in the attack. Officials also noted that Jahn opened fire from a rooftop as an unmarked transfer van moved detainees, with the facility’s security gates momentarily open during the transfer operation. After exchanging gunfire, Jahn turned the weapon on himself as police approached.

As investigators reviewed ballistics and surveillance footage, officials confirmed that the scene yielded markings on shell casings reading "ANTI-ICE," a detail they said could reflect the attacker’s message. The investigation is being coordinated by federal authorities, with local law enforcement assisting on the Dallas scene. Lawmakers across the spectrum have called for calm and adherence to the rule of law, while Vance’s comments highlight a broader debate over immigration policy and the tone of political discourse in the United States.

The Dallas shooting adds to a tense national conversation about immigration enforcement and public safety, a topic that has become a frequent flashpoint in partisan debates. Vance’s comments underscore a perception among some conservatives that Democratic rhetoric has at times framed enforcement officers as part of an out-of-touch or coercive apparatus, potentially fueling anti‑ICE sentiment or violence. Critics of that view argue that public scrutiny of immigration policy and law enforcement is essential to democratic accountability and does not condone violence. In Concord, supporters of Vance praised his call for unity and support of police, while opponents argued that political leaders should advocate for humane immigration policies and civil discourse, irrespective of security concerns.

The investigation into the Dallas attack continues, and federal officials have reiterated that certainty about motive remains under review. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward as the FBI and local agencies compile a full timeline of events, identify potential witnesses, and examine digital and physical evidence from the scene. As officials pursue justice for the victims and seek to prevent future violence, Wednesday’s remarks in North Carolina illustrate how immigration policy, public safety, and political rhetoric intersect in a high-profile, real-time news cycle.

The man identified as the Dallas shooter, Joshua Jahn, is pictured here after the attack, as investigators work to determine what motivated the assault. Jahn, 29, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on a nearby rooftop as authorities closed in, and investigators recovered a weapon and evidence tied to the incident. The attack killed one person and injured two others, all believed to be detainees. The FBI described the crime as an act of targeted violence, with officials confirming that no law enforcement officers were injured during the incident. More details are expected as the investigation progresses.