Vice President JD Vance goaded Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over Detroithis crime rates on Wednesday after he visited a manufacturing facility to support the PresidentDonald Trumphis major domestic policy initiative.
My message to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan is, come on,” Vance stated as the rally audience booed when the governor’s name was mentioned. “My main message to Gretchen Whitmer is, let’s be honest, the city of Detroit has some major issues with crime.
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And we are aware that the residents of Detroit face the greatest impact when crime is permitted to spread throughout the city’s streets,” Vance added. “Gretchen, we are willing to deploy the National Guard to Detroit, Michigan. All you need to do is request it.
Detroit’s crime rate declined in 2023to its lowest point in 57 years, as per city data, yet it continues to be significantly higher than national averages. Among the 20 top cities with thehighest homicide ratesOut of 100,000 people in 2024, Detroit is ranked 6th.
The vice president’s comments come after the president’s statementsdeployment of federal law enforcement officersTo Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday at the request of Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN). Since assuming control of Washington, D.C.’s local police force last month, the Trump administration has consistently warned of deploying National Guard personnel to other cities governed by Democrats, such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.
Vance also supported the Trump administration’s authority to send the National Guard to different citiesduring a visit in Wisconsinlast month, although he noted that the administration hopes Democratic leaders will request assistance.
The president of the United States isn’t going out there imposing this on anyone, although we believe we have the legal authority to clean up America’s streets if we choose,” Vance stated. “However, what the president has said is, quite simply, why don’t you let us in?
Democratic mayors and governors have mostly reacted negatively to Trump’s threats. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson dismissed the notion of National Guard troops being sent to the city. Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), a well-known critic of Trump, told CBS News that deploying military personnel to Chicago was an “invasion.”
This week, Trump once more warned of sending soldiers to Chicago, referring to the city as a “death trap,” before departing for a state visit to the United Kingdom.
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“I’m heading to Chicago early, facing Pritzker. Pritzker isn’t significant. If Pritzker were wise, he’d say, ‘Please come in,'” Trump said to reporters.
Michigan Democrats criticized Vance’s visit to the manufacturing facility as an effort to mitigate the impact of the “big, beautiful bill.” Republicans have highlighted the law’s tax reductions, especially those aimed at middle-income voters, but Democrats argue the Republican Party is at risk due to its changes to Medicaid.
“Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are harming Michigan’s economy through their unstable tariffs and harmful healthcare reductions – all to benefit the wealthy at the expense of everyday families,” stated Curtis Hertel, chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, in a statement.
Residents of Michigan are currently struggling, as costs continue to rise and their way of life is at risk due to the policies of the Trump administration,” Hertel said. “When individuals reveal their true nature, take them at their word, and Trump and Vance have demonstrated that they are selfish, careless, and indifferent to the harm they cause.
Vance’s visit to Michigan also included his first public remarks onCharlie Kirkafter he served as a guest host on the radio show of the Turning Point USA founder on Monday.
The vice president acknowledged Kirk, who was killed last week at an event at Utah Valley University, for energizing a youthful conservative movement that contributed to Trump and Vance’s victory in the White House.
If you examine the youth vote in 2024 and the significant shift of young voters from Democrats to Republicans between 2020 and 2024, Charlie Kirk initiated a movement,” said Vance. “This movement led to Donald J. Trump becoming the president of the United States, and it also made me the vice president of the United States. I wouldn’t be here without Charlie.
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Repeating his comments from the Charlie Kirk Show, Vance criticized the Left for supposedly encouraging political violence and supported the right to free expression in the United States.
I want you to know that regardless of whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, or whatever your views may be, I will stand up for your right to express your opinions,” he stated. “We oppose political violence and we reject the extreme left-wing extremists who killed our friend Charlie Kirk. Let’s engage in dialogue with each other instead of trying to undermine one another because of differing opinions.
