Vice President Vance: Trump Admin Must Act When ICE Agents ‘Screw Up’

Vice President JD Vance addressed concerns about misconduct among Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a town hall interview, emphasizing the Trump administration’s duty to investigate and take action when agents err. Speaking Thursday in Michigan, Vance acknowledged that while most ICE agents perform their duties well, some “really screw up,” and the administration is responsible for prosecuting and disciplining those cases.

Vance Discusses ICE Performance and Accountability

In a one-hour town hall with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, Vance highlighted that the majority of ICE officers are dedicated patriots intent on protecting the country. However, he conceded that mistakes occur. “Sometimes you have some people who make mistakes. Sometimes you have some people who really screw up,” Vance said. He stressed the administration’s obligation to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing within ICE, ensuring agents are held accountable through proper legal and disciplinary processes.

Instances of ICE Misconduct and Investigations

While Vance declined to specify particular cases, he confirmed that the Trump administration has conducted investigations and taken disciplinary actions when warranted. “There are a number of cases where we’ve investigated and either provided further training, or sometimes even provided disciplinary situations within ICE,” he explained. Vance noted that such actions are not always publicized to respect due process and legal proceedings.

Recent events have placed ICE officers under scrutiny, especially amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts. Earlier this year, two Americans—Renee Good and Alex Pretti—were fatally shot by immigration authorities during protests in Minnesota. The ICE officer responsible for Good’s death, Jonathan Ross, was placed on administrative leave. Questions about his reassignment to New York arose in May, though the Department of Homeland Security did not disclose his current posting.

Recent ICE Use-of-Force Incidents Across the U.S.

Several other incidents involving ICE agents have sparked controversy and investigations. In July, an ICE officer fatally shot a 25-year-old Colombian man in Maine. In September, an immigration officer shot a Venezuelan man in the back in Austin, Texas. Earlier this month, ICE agents shot Oscar Belgal in the neck during a New York enforcement operation while a 5-year-old boy was in the vehicle. Additionally, near Houston, a vehicle driven by ICE agents struck and injured a man.

Despite these incidents, no criminal charges have been filed regarding the shootings of Good and Pretti, though the Justice Department opened an investigation into Pretti’s case earlier this year.

Vance’s Message Amid a Heated Political Climate

Vance’s remarks came during a Michigan town hall ahead of a closely watched Senate race between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. His comments underscore the Trump administration’s stance on immigration enforcement and law enforcement accountability, balancing support for ICE personnel with acknowledgment of necessary oversight.

Vance’s full discussion will air Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and will be available for streaming on Paramount+ and CBSNews.com.

As immigration enforcement continues to be a contentious issue nationwide, Vice President Vance’s candid stance on ICE accountability signals an administration aware of the need for both firm enforcement and responsible oversight.