JD Vance National Guard Protest: Chants & Boos Disrupt Lunch
- Vice President JD Vance's lunch with National guard troops at Union Station was disrupted by demonstrations opposing the deployment of federal forces in Washington, D.C.The visit, intended as...
- Joined by defense secretary Pete Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Vance encountered protesters chanting slogans like "shame," "this is our city," and "we...
- Vance dismissed the protesters as "crazy" and "communists," while Miller, without providing evidence, characterized them as "elderly white hippies" and "not part of the city." Vance also referenced...
Vance Visit to Union Station Met wiht Protests Over Federal presence in DC
Vice President JD Vance‘s lunch with National guard troops at Union Station was disrupted by demonstrations opposing the deployment of federal forces in Washington, D.C.The visit, intended as a show of support for the troops – many originating from states like South Carolina, Ohio, and Mississippi – was met with a vocal mix of support and opposition.
Joined by defense secretary Pete Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Vance encountered protesters chanting slogans like “shame,” “this is our city,” and “we want the military out of our streets.” Counter-protesters responded with chants of “USA.”
Vance dismissed the protesters as “crazy” and “communists,” while Miller, without providing evidence, characterized them as “elderly white hippies” and “not part of the city.” Vance also referenced a previous visit to Union Station with his children,claiming thay were frightened by “violent vagrants.”
The incident underscores the ongoing tension between D.C. residents and the federal government’s decision to increase its security presence in the city. Recent polling data indicates that approximately 80% of D.C. residents oppose the federal intervention in local law enforcement. vance disputed these figures, expressing skepticism that a majority of residents would prefer less public safety.
A student at Union Station described the troop presence as “overwhelming” and questioned the need for increased security, noting reports of a declining crime rate. Vance countered this by asserting that crime is “massively underreported,” and suggested speaking to residents for confirmation. Reports indicate the Department of Justice is investigating potential manipulation of crime data by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
As Vance departed,he responded to a protester,stating,”I heard you buddy,” and directed a comment towards Hegseth about the importance of law and order. Outside the station, protesters displayed signs, including one referencing the Epstein case.