US Vice President JD Vance Heckled During DC National Guard Visit

Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, visited National Guard troops deployed in Washington, DC, as part of President Donald Trump's federal takeover to address crime and homelessness. During their visit at Union Station, Vance was heckled with a vulgar reference to a long-standing internet meme about him involving a 'couch,' which he took in stride despite the persistent taunts. Protesters outside the Shake Shack where the group gathered loudly demanded the military leave the city, chanting slogans like 'Free DC' and 'Free Palestine,' highlighting the deep divide between the Trump administration's policies and the majority of DC residents who oppose the federal intervention. Vance criticized the protesters, labeling them 'crazy' and dismissing them as 'elderly white hippies,' while defending the National Guard's presence as necessary for public safety amid what he described as rampant drug use, homelessness, and crime in Union Station. The administration's move to deploy federal forces has been met with skepticism and resistance from local officials and residents, who question the timing and impact of the takeover. Despite the backlash, Vance emphasized improvements in safety during his visit and expressed confidence in the administration's approach to restoring order in the city.