J.D. Vance to RCC bishops criticizing Trump's policy: "Look in the mirror"

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Photo: screenshot from Face the Nation video

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance responded to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) after they criticized former President Donald Trump’s repeal of a rule that limited immigration enforcement near "protected areas" – places of worship and schools. In his first interview, aired on CBS, Vance addressed concerns about potential "raids in churches and schools" and the reaction from Catholic bishops to Trump's recent executive order.

Bishop Mark J. Seitz, chairman of the Migration Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, along with leaders of other Catholic organizations, stated that "non-emergency immigration enforcement" in sensitive settings such as places of worship would be contrary to the "common good."

During the Face the Nation program, host Margaret Brennan asked Vance whether he supported raids or other enforcement actions during church services or in schools, as well as his response to the USCCB’s criticism of Trump administration policies.

"Of course, if you have a person who is convicted of a violent crime, whether they're an illegal immigrant or a non-legal immigrant, you have to go and get that person to protect the public safety," Vance stated.

The Vice President, who has publicly spoken about his Catholic faith and reaffirmed it multiple times during the interview, said that as a practicing Catholic, he was "heartbroken" by the bishops' statement. However, he accused the USCCB of being more concerned with funding than actually helping immigrants in the U.S.

"I think that the US Conference of Catholics Bishops needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognize that when they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns or are they actually worried about their bottom line?" Vance asked.

He also said that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has not been a good partner in common sense immigration enforcement the American people voted for. "And I hope, as a devout Catholic, that they'll do better," Vance concluded.

As previously reported, Trump plans to cut funding for Catholic organizations involved with migrant resettlement.

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