Vance tells left-wing Democrats to 'straight to hell' after Dallas ICE shooting

Vice President JD Vance used a rally in Concord, North Carolina, on Wednesday to condemn political violence and tie the Dallas attack on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility to rhetoric he described as hostile from the left. The shooting occurred early Wednesday at the ICE building in Dallas, and federal authorities said shell casings bearing anti-ICE messages were found at the scene. The FBI is investigating the incident as a politically motivated attack. Vance spoke to supporters surrounded by police vehicles and officers from multiple agencies.

Vance argued the violence is driven by political opponents, citing the Dallas incident as evidence of rising threats against public officials. He urged opponents to halt attacks on law enforcement, saying, “If you want to stop political violence, stop attacking our law enforcement as the Gestapo.” He also noted that critics have pointed out that his side has used strong rhetoric in the past, including comparisons of Trump supporters to Nazis, a point some critics say has complicated calls for equal accountability. The photograph of the moment captured a coalition of local and federal officers present at the scene of the Dallas attack.

Vance continued, arguing that top Democratic leaders have pursued a “rhetorical assault” on law enforcement since 2020, which he contends has made policing more dangerous. He singled out California Governor Gavin Newsom for remarks he described as characterizing the Trump administration and federal immigration officials as part of an “authoritarian government” that, in his view, encourages violence. “If your political rhetoric encourages violence against our law enforcement you can go straight to hell,” he said.

The remarks echoed a broader pattern in which Vance has framed political violence as a predominantly one-sided problem. He said the attack in Dallas underscored the need to confront violence on the political fringe and reiterated a pledge to prosecute organizations that fund unrest tied to political causes, arguing the administration would dismantle networks and cut off funding to those who incite violence.

Vance opened his remarks by condemning the assassination of a friend and activist he described as Charlie Kirk, arguing that grievance-fueled rhetoric from the left is contributing to a climate where violence is more likely. He acknowledged that extremists exist on both sides but maintained that recent high-profile attacks have originated from the far left. He urged the public to resist framing the issue as a “both sides” problem.

As the rally continued, Vance lauded North Carolina lawmakers for advancing a bill he said would strengthen public safety and urged Governor Roy Cooper to sign it. He framed the measure as part of a broader push to back law enforcement and reduce crime, promising continued efforts to shield officials and communities from politically motivated violence.

The Charlotte area murders and other crime incidents have been cited by Vance as examples of what he calls the consequences of permissive crime policies. He pointed to the killing of a Ukrainian refugee, 22-year-old Iryna Zarutka, on a Charlotte light-rail train last month, noting the suspect had prior arrests but remained free due to what he described as weak local laws. In his view, those cases illustrate the urgency of tougher enforcement and legislative action to protect residents and officers alike.

Overall, the appearance in Concord marked another in a string of high-profile comments from Vance about political violence, law enforcement, and the role of rhetoric in shaping public safety. He repeated his call for accountability and for a stronger, more aggressive approach to countering violence connected to political movements while aligning with fellow Republicans on support for police and for legislative efforts to curb unrest.