Republican vice presidential nominee U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) caught some heat on Saturday after his answer about a question regarding the Jan. 6 riot on the Capitol.
Vance, who held a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, over the weekend, was asked about whether or not he will commit to a "peaceful transfer of power" no matter who wins the election in November.
"Yes, of course," Vance said before saying something about the 2021 Jan. 6 riot that surprised observers and critics.
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"Yes, of course. Of course we do," Vance said. "Look -- this is very simple. Yes, there was a riot at the Capitol on January 6th but there was still a peaceful transfer of power in this country and that is always going to happen."
He continued, saying Trump "is committed to it and so am I."
"Here is what is a little odd about this question. Under Kamala Harris' leadership, we have more fentanyl in our community than we have had before," he added. "Americans can't afford groceries, young people can't afford to buy a home, credit card delinquencies are through the roof. That is what I'm focused on and that is what the campaign and media should be focused on."
Some critics online weren't buying it.
Criminal law professor Carissa Byrne Hessick said in response, "Seems like a weird thing for Vance to say, given that Vance has told us, if he had been vice president on January 6, there would NOT have been a peaceful transfer of power—because he would not have followed the path of Mike Pence and certified the election."
Democratic strategist Keith Edwards mockingly translated Vance's sentiment, writing, "Yes, we lead an insurrection that unfortunately failed. Vote for me."
Journalist Jennifer Schulze pointed out the audience "jeering" at the reporter who asked the question.
"Forcing the press to ask questions in front a jeering crowd of angry Trump supporters is a political strategy to score points with the MAGA base," she said. "It is NOT an acceptable question & answer opportunity with a candidate. Is the press too worried about access to demand better?"
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