JD Vance Defends Trump’s ‘Enemy Within’ Comments in Heated Exchange with CNN’s Jake Tapper

Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance engaged in a fiery discussion with CNN host Jake Tapper on Sunday, defending former President Donald Trump‘s controversial remarks about an ‘enemy within’ the United States.

Vance insisted that Trump’s comments were not directed at political rivals or the general American populace, but rather at what he termed ‘far-left extremists’ who might incite unrest if Trump wins the upcoming election. During the interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Vance argued that Trump would not deploy the military against American citizens, asking Tapper for evidence to support the contrary claim.

Tapper highlighted Trump’s previous statements, including a recent podcast appearance with Joe Rogan, where Trump suggested that ‘the enemy within’—Americans with opposing views—posed a greater danger to the nation than North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Vance countered that these statements were misconstrued and intended to target specific groups of extremists rather than the broader public.

The exchange was part of a broader debate over Trump’s increasingly alarming rhetoric, which has drawn comparisons to the language used by authoritarian figures. Vance criticized the Harris campaign for citing former Trump administration officials who have deemed Trump unfit for office, suggesting their criticisms stem from policy disagreements rather than concerns over Trump’s character.

Vance also addressed criticisms of his own past remarks and unfounded claims, attempting to soften his rhetoric on the campaign trail. He emphasized the need for unity among Americans, regardless of their political affiliations, and criticized current leadership in Washington for failing to address the country’s challenges.