Vice President JD Vance faced vocal protests during a visit to Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, the site of last week’s mass shooting that killed two children and injured 21 others.
Vance traveled to the church to meet families of victims and view memorials. Shooter Robin Westman opened fire during a school Mass, leaving the community reeling. The Dallas Express previously reported that Westman, who identified as “transgender”, had expressed regret about transitioning before carrying out the attack.
Outside the church, demonstrators waved pride flags and booed the vice president, shouting insults as he entered.
“Leftist protestors proceed to shout ‘You’re a coward’ and ‘Do better’ while flying a rainbow flag,” wrote Dustin Grage in a post on X.
Some protesters demanded action on gun reform. Others called Vance’s appearance “tone-deaf,” questioning whether the administration would address repeated school shootings with concrete policies.
Inside the church, Vance spoke with grieving parents. When asked whether authorities should be investigating people who are experiencing gender dysphoria and showing signs they might target kids, Vance responded, “Certainly we should be investigating people who are planning on targeting kids.”
Vance added that the grieving parents urged leaders to “look very seriously at the root causes” and find ways to “prevent crazy people who are about to shoot up a school from getting access to firearms.”
Vance, a father of three, reflected on the families’ loss. “By being a better dad, and hugging my kids tight tonight and making sure they know their dad loves them. Because there are two families that aren’t going to get that opportunity ever again,” he said.