Vance Faces Questions on Iran, Prices, Immigration and His Political Future
Vice President JD Vance defended the administration’s plans on the economy and Iran during a town hall in Michigan. Residents also questioned him about immigration enforcement, government corruption, data centers and whether he might run for president.
Vance said the economy is beginning to improve, but that changes will take time. On Iran, he argued that ending the conflict and keeping shipping lanes open are important to lowering gas prices. He also said the administration is seeking a firm promise that Iran will not rebuild its nuclear program.
Vance Has Not Decided About a Presidential Run
Vance said he has not made up his mind about running for president. He acknowledged there is a chance he will not seek the job and said he tends to put off big decisions.
He also pointed to his family life. He and his wife, Usha, have four young children. Vance said she has not always enjoyed politics, though she cares about public service.
He Says Turning the Economy Around Will Take Time
Several people asked when families and small businesses would feel relief from the high cost of living. Sandy Johnson, who owns a family entertainment center, said her business was barely getting by. She asked when ordinary people would have more money to spend at local businesses.
Vance said the country’s problems built up over many years. He blamed both political parties for failing to invest enough in American workers and factories, and for allowing many good jobs to move overseas. Without those jobs, he said, people have less money to spend in their communities.
He pointed to plans by major automakers in the Detroit area to grow their businesses, along with promised investment from other countries. Vance said these could be signs of progress, but warned that rebuilding the economy would take longer than a year and a half. Factories must be built before they can employ workers, he added.
Unemployment has stayed low, but inflation has remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. That means rising prices continue to reduce what many people can buy with their pay. The number of manufacturing jobs has also stayed about the same.
Iran Conflict and Gas Prices
Keshon Wheatley, a Detroit barber, said gas prices were one reason he had supported President Trump in the past. He now plans to vote for Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed instead of Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Vance said Iran’s attacks on oil tankers have put pressure on energy supplies. He argued that allowing Iran to control shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would make gasoline even more expensive. He said gas prices should fall when the conflict ends and said U.S. military efforts have helped ships move through the strait.
Vance criticized El-Sayed for opposing the war without offering, in his view, a workable answer to the crisis. He praised Rogers for calling for the conflict to end. Asked why the United States had not won decisively, Vance said the country had succeeded in some ways, but that its opponent still has the ability to affect what happens.
The administration, Vance said, wants Iran to make a firm commitment not to rebuild its nuclear program.
Questions About the Death of a U.S. Service Member
Joey Amor said his wife, Army Reserve Master Sgt. Nicole Amor, was among six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian strike at a site in Kuwait. He said the drone was the weapon that killed her, but that other failures may have helped lead to her death. He asked how leaders would be held responsible.
Vance said he did not doubt that mistakes had been made and promised to take them seriously. He said information does not always reach him. He also noted that inexpensive drones have changed warfare and said the military has changed its tactics to better protect service members. Vance acknowledged that the location of some troops had been a major mistake and said it had changed.
Immigration Enforcement and H-1B Visas
Sister Nancy Sylvester asked Vance how he would explain immigration enforcement tactics to people of faith and how the government could treat immigrants with greater care and respect.
Vance said the government must enforce the law while acting humanely. He described most immigration agents as dedicated public servants, but said some make serious mistakes. He said the government has investigated cases, provided more training and taken disciplinary action.
Vance also addressed his past comments comparing some workers with H-1B visas to indentured servants. He said his wording had not been perfect and that he was criticizing employers, not visa holders. He argued that some employers can use a worker’s risk of losing a job and being sent home to gain too much control over that person.
He said he does not want to dehumanize immigrants. At the same time, he said he wants the country to keep a shared sense of community and that large numbers of newcomers can change a country in lasting ways.
Corruption and Data Center Concerns
Vance said Washington is corrupt, but he had not seen evidence that Trump took part in or approved corruption. He said anyone selling access to the White House should face consequences. He also said he would follow the law if Congress opened investigations and issued subpoenas.
A Michigan resident who lives near a data center said its steady noise made opening the windows at home a luxury. Vance said data centers can bring benefits but can also create real problems. He argued that they should contribute more tax money to local governments and should not raise household electric bills.
Vance added that the gains from data centers should benefit whole communities, not only a small group of wealthy technology leaders.