Vance stands firm against ‘childless cat lady’ remarks, seeks deportation of 1 million

JD Vance, a Republican vice presidential candidate, defended both himself and Donald Trump during a recent interview as he continues to face criticism over his remarks about “childless cat ladies,” Democrats, and individuals without children. The backlash has intensified this week following his comments about traditional families in America and the choices made by those who do not conform to that standard.

During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Vance was questioned about whether he considered families formed through nontraditional means, like that of Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow Democrat Pete Buttigieg, as legitimate. Harris has a family formed through her marriage to a single father, while Buttigieg became a parent through adoption.

When asked if he viewed these families as legitimate, Vance responded affirmatively. However, he quickly shifted the focus to suggest that the Harris campaign misrepresented the context of his earlier remarks. CNN’s Dana Bash attempted to press him further for clarification, but he skillfully dodged her follow-up questions.

“Dana, I was raised… one of the first people I gave a hug to after my RNC convention speech was my step-mom,” Vance explained. Bash then inquired if his step-mom could be categorized as “childless.” He confirmed, “Of course she’s not childless.”

In an interview with ABC News, Vance further discussed his previous comments regarding childless Americans and the implications these individuals may have concerning the future of the country. In his remarks to Tucker Carlson in 2021, he stated, “we’ve turned our country over to people who don’t really have a direct stake in it,” referring to multiple Democrats, including Harris and Buttigieg, who he had critiqued for their family choices.

When asked if he regretted his comments, Vance expressed that he regretted how the media and the Harris campaign misinterpreted his statements. “They turn this into a policy proposal that I never made,” he stated to ABC’s Jonathan Karl.

In the same conversation, Vance discussed Trump’s controversial promise to enact the “largest deportation operation in history” if they win the presidency in November. Both Vance and Trump aim to deport approximately 20 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, a plan that could significantly impact the economy, culture, and community dynamics.

ABC News prompted Vance to specify what such a massive operation would entail, including whether authorities would be knocking on doors asking residents for identification. In response, he emphasized the need to start with achievable goals, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the deportation of violent criminals while also making it more challenging to hire undocumented workers, who he claims undermine American wages.

“I think it’s interesting that people focus on, well, how do you deport 18 million people? Let’s start with 1 million,” Vance remarked, attributing failures in deportation measures to Kamala Harris’s tenure. He suggested gradually expanding efforts as initial goals are met.

As the landscape of immigration policy continues to evolve, Harris has taken a proactive stance during her campaign. After Republicans faced significant challenges regarding immigration after a bipartisan border security proposal fell through this year, Harris has stepped up her messaging.

Speaking in Arizona this weekend, the vice president pledged to pursue “strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship” if reelected next year alongside a Democratic majority in Congress. This approach highlights the ongoing tension and debate around immigration in America, especially as both parties prepare for the upcoming election.