JD Vance Confronts Moderators After They Repeatedly Break Their Own Rules

One of the viral moments from Tuesday night's vice-presidential debate saw Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio directly challenge a CBS News “fact check” that seemed questionable.

The heated exchange occurred during a segment about Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants under the Biden-Harris administration, which has led to Springfield, Ohio, struggling with an influx of newcomers and strained city resources.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, has deployed State Highway Patrol troopers to Springfield to address issues resulting from the influx and announced that the state will spend millions of dollars over the coming years to manage the crisis.

While the vice-presidential debate rules stated there wouldn’t be so-called “fact checks”—unlike the presidential debate, where ABC News moderators faced backlash for their handling of GOP nominee Donald Trump—CBS News’ Margaret Brennan attempted to "clarify" a point made by Trump’s running mate, Vance.

“Just to clarify for our viewers, Springfield, Ohio, does have a large number of Haitian migrants who have legal status, Temporary Protected Status,” Brennan said.

Vance interrupted her attempt to clarify, as she tried to move on by saying, “Senator, we have so much to get to.”

“Margaret, I think it’s important, because the rules were that you guys weren’t going to fact-check, and since you’re fact-checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on,” Vance responded.

He went on to explain, “There’s an application called the CBP One app, where you can go on as an illegal migrant, apply for asylum or apply for parole, and be granted legal status at the wave of a Kamala Harris open-border wand.

“That is not a person coming in, applying for a green card and waiting for 10 years. That is facilitation of illegal immigration, Margaret, by our own leadership,” Vance said.

Brennan again tried to speak over Vance, saying, “Thank you, senator, for describing the legal process.”

“And Kamala Harris opened up that pathway,” Vance added.

Both microphones were eventually cut so the moderators could proceed, but Vance had made his point.

The CBP One app, managed by Customs and Border Protection, allows both legal and illegal migrants to schedule appointments using their smartphones.

“On August 23, 2024, CBP updated the process for individuals to request and schedule appointments at one of the eight southwest land ports of entry that currently process individuals using the CBP One™ mobile application,” according to the CBP’s website.

“The location from where individuals can request an appointment will be expanded. Currently, individuals can request an appointment from Northern and Central Mexico. Migrants who cross Mexico’s southern border can now wait in Southern Mexico to secure an appointment before traveling to the north.

“As of Friday, August 23, 2024, non-Mexican migrants are able to request and schedule appointments from the Southern Mexico states of Tabasco and Chiapas, in addition to their existing ability to request and schedule an appointment from Northern and Central Mexico—enabling them to make appointments without having to travel all the way north to do so.” [Emphasis ours.]

Conservative commentators praised Vance for pushing back against the attempted fact check.

“Brilliant work by Vance. He fact checks the moderators and they’re forced to cut his mic to save face. Total implosion by the moderators. Masterful performance by Vance,” Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire wrote.

“Brennan fact-checks Vance — and neglects the entire context. Vance calls her on it. So she shuts off the mics. Wow,” said Ben Shapiro, also of the Daily Wire.

“This is as bad as the ABC debate. What a joke,” Fox News contributor Joe Concha added. “All of that said, Vance is owning the stage. This isn’t even close.”