JD Vance Shuts Down Reporter Who Demands ‘Evidence’ Of D.C.’s Crime Problem
Vice President JD Vance didn’t hold back when a reporter tried to challenge the Trump administration’s crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., demanding “evidence” of its effectiveness.
Vance, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, toured Union Station Thursday to highlight progress since President Trump’s crime-fighting initiatives were rolled out. The vice president made a point of thanking National Guardsmen on-site, telling them, “You guys bust your ass all day and we give you hamburgers — not a fair trade but we’re grateful for everything you do.”
?Happening Now: Vice President JD Vance, Secretary Hegseth, and Stephen Miller arrive at Union Station to view the progress of the clean up in Washington DC pic.twitter.com/ol9o61Z8bQ
— William Martin (@VPCommsDir) August 20, 2025
During remarks to the press, Vance cited a 35% drop in crime over just nine days, praising law enforcement and military efforts. But when a reporter pressed for “evidence,” Vance brushed off the question with blunt clarity.
“Of what?” he shot back. “That D.C. has a terrible crime problem? You just gotta look around. Obviously, D.C. has a terrible crime problem. The Department of Justice statistics back it up. The FBI statistics back it up. Just talk to a resident of this city, this beautiful, great American city.”
. @VP “If you look at what has happened in Washington, D.C.
In the last nine days, WE HAVE SEEN A THIRTY-FIVE PERCENT CRIME DECREASE.” pic.twitter.com/68TN6hsEfh
— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) August 20, 2025
He went further, flipping the narrative to emphasize the administration’s focus on public safety. “Don’t they deserve — we talk about human rights, we hear these people outside screaming, ‘Free D.C.!’ Let’s free D.C. from lawlessness. Let’s free Washington, D.C., from one of the highest murder rates in the entire world. Let’s free Washington, D.C., so that young families can walk around and feel safe and secure. That’s what we’re trying to free D.C. from.”
Referencing the small protest group outside Union Station, Vance highlighted the irony: “As Stephen said, it’s kind of bizarre that we have a bunch of old, primarily white people who are out there protesting the policies that keep people safe when they’ve never felt danger in their entire lives.”
The exchange underscored the no-nonsense posture of the Trump administration’s law-and-order agenda, while showcasing Vance’s willingness to push back hard against media skepticism.