JD Vance urges Europe to change course on migration at Munich Security Conference

Vice President JD Vance lectured European officials on illegal migration on the continent during his remarks Friday before the Munich Security Conference, warning elected officials that they risk losing public support if they don’t quickly change course.

“If you’re running in fear of your own voters there’s nothing America can do for you,” the vice president said.

Vance’s speech, and his passing mention of the 3-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict, came at a time of intense concern and uncertainty over the Trump administration’s foreign policy.

“In Washington, there is a new sheriff in town. And under Donald Trump’s leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer it in the public square,” Vance said to tepid applause.

More from World

US Vice President Vance warns Europe of threats 'from within', retreat from 'fundamental values' Trump defends Vance's 'Europe is losing freedom of speech' comment, as VP's slander steals the show in Munich

The vice president also warned the European officials against illegal migration, saying that the electorate didn’t vote to open “floodgates to millions of unvetted immigrants" and referencing an attack Thursday in Munich where the suspect is a 24-year-old Afghan who arrived in Germany as an asylum-seeker in 2016.

The violence left more than 30 people injured and appears to have had an Islamic extremist motive.

Vance is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later Friday for talks that many observers, particularly in Europe, hope will shed at least some light on Trump’s ideas for a negotiated settlement to the war following a phone call between Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin this week.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

Vance, in his speech, said the administration “believes we can come to a reasonable settlement between Russia and Ukraine.”