Vice President JD Vance addressed a Turning Point USA audience at the University of Mississippi, responding to a question about whether Republicans should fear using federal power aggressively. Vance, who is known for his strong conservative stance, argued that the left has already weaponized federal power for decades, and Republicans shouldn’t be afraid to use it. His remarks were part of a broader discussion on the use of federal authority in governance.
Vance’s response was prompted by an audience member’s question about the risks of Republicans using federal power to govern. In his answer, he sarcastically suggested that if President Joe Biden decided to deploy the FBI to arrest political opponents, it would be a ‘great use of federal power.’ He was clearly referencing the ongoing legal cases against former President Donald Trump, which have been a point of significant contention in recent political discourse.
Vance also discussed the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard to states like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Memphis, Tenn., noting that the administration has plans to send troops to as many as 19 states to support immigration enforcement and combat crime. He suggested that such a use of federal resources could be justified in certain contexts, such as deploying the National Guard to areas with high crime rates. However, he expressed skepticism about the likelihood of President Biden using it that way.
Vance emphasized that the real danger lies in the left’s past actions, particularly in the misuse of American law enforcement. He argued that the focus should be on preventing further abuse of federal power by ensuring that those who misuse it are held accountable. He concluded by stating that the current administration’s efforts are aimed at addressing the misuse of federal power, as evidenced by ongoing legal actions against the left’s alleged misuse of authority.