Vance Warns Against Giving Power Back to Congressional Democrats After SOTU

Vice President says Democrats' behavior at State of the Union shows they 'cannot be trusted' with power

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Vice President JD Vance strongly criticized the behavior of congressional Democrats during the State of the Union address, saying their refusal to stand and cheer for a young girl who survived an attack by an illegal immigrant shows they 'cannot be trusted' with power. Vance warned that the American people 'cannot give power back to congressional Democrats' in the upcoming midterm elections.

Why it matters

Vance's comments reflect the ongoing partisan divide in American politics and the Republican party's efforts to paint Democrats as soft on immigration and crime ahead of the midterm elections. The vice president's remarks are likely intended to rally the Republican base and discourage voters from supporting Democratic candidates.

The details

During a visit to a machining facility in Plover, Wisconsin, Vance slammed congressional Democrats for not standing and applauding when a young girl who was struck by a car driven by an illegal immigrant was introduced during the State of the Union. Vance accused Democrats of being beholden to 'people who have corrupted this country' and 'people who open the border' rather than serving the interests of American citizens.

  • The State of the Union address took place on February 25, 2026.
  • Vance made his comments on February 26, 2026, the day after the State of the Union.

The players

JD Vance

The current Vice President of the United States, a Republican who has taken a hardline stance on immigration issues.

Dalila Coleman

A young girl who survived an attack by an illegal immigrant from India in June 2024.

Partap Singh

The illegal immigrant from India who was charged with vehicular homicide and immigration-related charges for the incident involving Dalila Coleman.

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What they’re saying

“I want to talk about the stakes coming up in November, because it feels like this election in November is very far away. But if anything, the State of the Union should have showed us that we cannot give power back to congressional Democrats.”

— JD Vance, Vice President (foxnews.com)

“For example, you have this beautiful little girl. She had such a sweet moment with her dad. You may have remembered, she was probably six years old. She had been assaulted by an illegal immigrant. She had had a very bad, I think, medical prognosis. But it turned out that she was okay. This 6-year-old girl, hurt by a human being who never should have been in this country in the first place, who was led into this country by Joe Biden, the Democrats.”

— JD Vance, Vice President (foxnews.com)

“And she's hugging her dad, and she's so excited. And you can tell, and I think everybody's heart feels very, you know, you get that warm and fuzzy feeling. And then I look over at the congressional Democrats, and they're just scowling. They cannot clap their hands for a 6-year-old who survived an attack from an illegal alien. What is that?”

— JD Vance, Vice President (foxnews.com)

What’s next

The November 2026 midterm elections will be a key test of whether Vance's criticisms of congressional Democrats resonate with voters.

The takeaway

Vance's harsh rhetoric against congressional Democrats reflects the deep partisan divisions in American politics and the Republican party's efforts to portray their opponents as being soft on issues like immigration and crime. The vice president's comments are likely aimed at rallying the GOP base ahead of the midterm elections, but whether they sway independent or swing voters remains to be seen.