CBS town hall puts Vance face to face with tough questions on Iran and immigration

Questions about deaths in Kuwait

Joey Amor asked Vance about the death of his wife, Master Sgt. Nicole Amor, one of six U.S. soldiers killed by an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait. The strike took place the day after Trump began the war with Iran. Joey Amor asked what mistakes led to the deaths and how leaders would be held accountable.

Vance said he had not previously heard about the matter and wanted to speak with Amor afterward. He acknowledged mistakes, including problems with troop locations, and said changes had been made.

War and rising fuel costs

A Michigan voter who said he supported Trump and Vance in 2024 questioned Vance about high gasoline prices linked to the war. The voter said he now planned to support Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

Vance said prices were too high and attributed them to events in the Middle East. He also cited reduced U.S. refining capacity during Joe Biden’s presidency, while arguing that attention should focus on solutions rather than past blame.

Immigration enforcement challenged

A nun asked how strict immigration enforcement, including the separation of children from parents during arrests, aligned with Catholic values. Vance said the administration was trying to find the right balance and described that effort as ongoing.

Asked about misconduct, Vance said some people made mistakes. He cited investigations that had led to additional training or discipline for enforcement officers, adding that the administration did not publicize such cases while investigations continued.

Vance defends his rhetoric

A voter who had immigrated five years earlier and later voted for Vance challenged his remarks describing H1-B visa holders as “foreign indentured servants.” She accused him of blaming immigrants for problems he was expected to solve. Vance said responsibility for any shortcomings in his rhetoric rested with him. He said he intended to criticize companies that bring in workers, rather than the immigrant workers themselves. Moderator Tony Dokoupil also questioned Vance about whether Trump and others in the administration were profiting; the account ends before Vance’s response.