Vice President JD Vance delivered a performance on CBS’s Face the Nation that left anchor Margaret Brennan visibly flustered and conservative audiences cheering. The exchange, which quickly went viral, centered on the Biden administration’s refugee policies and national security concerns. Vance stood firm in his criticism of what he called a deeply flawed vetting process for refugees, dismantling Brennan’s arguments with precision and exposing what many Republicans see as glaring weaknesses in the previous administration’s immigration policies. It was a moment that cemented Vance’s role as a key voice for a no-nonsense approach to border and national security issues.
The sparring began when Brennan defended the refugee vetting process, describing it as rigorous and thorough, taking up to two years to complete. She pressed Vance to clarify whether he still supported the resettlement of properly vetted refugees. Without missing a beat, Vance pushed back, pointing to the high-profile case of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi. Tawhedi, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. on a special immigrant visa after the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, had been charged with plotting a terrorist attack on Election Day. For Vance, this case epitomized the failures of the so-called “rigorous” vetting process.
Brennan tried to dismiss the Tawhedi case as an isolated incident, but Vance wasn’t having it. He doubled down, arguing that even a single improperly vetted individual poses a grave risk to national security. When Brennan pivoted to mention the tens of thousands of Afghan refugees still in the pipeline, insisting they were vetted thoroughly, Vance responded with characteristic sharpness. He reminded her of Tawhedi’s situation, making it clear that the system’s failures could not be brushed aside with platitudes about process and paperwork.
Vance’s critique wasn’t limited to technical failures in vetting. He took the conversation to a more personal and populist level, expressing his concern for American communities. He firmly stated that he wouldn’t allow his children—or anyone else’s—to live in neighborhoods with individuals who hadn’t been properly screened. This unapologetic stance struck a chord with conservatives, framing the refugee debate as not just a national security issue but a community and family safety concern. His bluntness resonated with his base, reinforcing his commitment to strong borders and a no-compromise approach to immigration.
Brennan attempted to salvage the debate by suggesting Tawhedi might have been radicalized after arriving in the U.S., but Vance shut her down with a simple, cutting retort: “I don’t really care.” He made it clear that the risk alone was enough to justify stricter controls, adding that most Americans likely share his perspective. The exchange underscored a deep ideological divide on immigration policy, with Vance’s direct, unfiltered rhetoric leaving his critics scrambling and his supporters applauding his refusal to back down. For many, it was a defining moment that showcased his ability to articulate a tough, commonsense stance in a political climate often defined by half-measures and political correctness.
Vice President @JDVance utterly embarrasses CBS and @margbrennan on the unvetted migrants that Biden allowed into our country 🔥☠️
— Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) January 26, 2025
Margaret Brennan: "These people are vetted!"
VP Vance: "Just like the guy who planned a terrorist attack in Oklahoma a few months ago?" pic.twitter.com/IeA8qsklTR
