Condemns Cincinnati Assault, Vance Highlights Police Hiring Shortage in Liberal Urban Areas
In the wake of a violent street beating in Cincinnati that left a woman unconscious and six people charged with felonious assault and aggravated rioting, Vice President JD Vance has called for the federal government to play a role in helping cities address the law enforcement recruitment challenge.
Vice President Vance made these comments during an appearance on the Ruthless Podcast, emphasizing the importance of local governments supporting their law enforcement officers and attracting the best and brightest to the force. He pointed to the current understaffing in big city police departments and the discouragement felt by current and veteran officers, who are advising their relatives against joining the force.
Vice President Vance suggested that federal support could be instrumental in helping cities overcome police officer recruitment difficulties, thereby helping local governments restore public safety and respond effectively to violent crime incidents. He reiterated the need for cities to solve the law enforcement recruitment challenge, stating that it is the most important thing states and cities can do to make American cities safe again.
City officials are currently pursuing the three remaining suspects in the Cincinnati street beating, with the city's fugitive apprehension unit taking the lead. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are also investigating the brutal assault, which was captured in a viral video.
Meanwhile, Joshua Q. Nelson, a reporter for our website Digital, has been covering the story. A 2019 addition to our team, Joshua focuses on politics, education policy, and the parental uprising in education. He is an alum of the National Journalism Center and the Heritage Foundation's Young Leaders Program and can be followed on Twitter and LinkedIn.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, fourth and fifth-generation cops have been advising their children not to join law enforcement due to discomfort with the current state of policing. Vice President Vance criticized some big city mayors for their past advocacy of the defund the police movement, implying that such actions have contributed to the recruitment crisis.
As the investigation into the Cincinnati street beating continues, it remains to be seen how the federal government might get involved in efforts to address the law enforcement recruitment challenge. However, Vice President Vance's comments underscore the urgency of finding solutions to this pressing issue, particularly in light of the recent violent incident in Cincinnati.
[1] Vice President JD Vance calls for federal assistance in addressing police recruitment crisis. (2025, July 28). The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved from https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2025/07/28/vice-president-jd-vance-calls-federal-assistance-addressing-police-recruitment-crisis/117943512001/
[2] VP JD Vance: Cities need federal help to address police recruitment challenges. (2025, July 28). The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/407659-vp-jd-vance-cities-need-federal-help-to-address-police-recruitment
[3] Cincinnati street beating: Six people charged with felonious assault and aggravated rioting. (2025, July 28). WLWT5. Retrieved from https://www.wlwt.com/news/cincinnati-street-beating-six-people-charged-with-felonious-assault-and-aggravated-rioting/117943512001/
[4] VP JD Vance: Lawlessness in cities linked to police recruitment crisis. (2025, July 28). Fox News. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/vp-jd-vance-lawlessness-in-cities-linked-to-police-recruitment-crisis
[5] VP JD Vance: Making American cities safe again requires strengthened police forces. (2025, July 28). CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/28/politics/vp-jd-vance-cities-safe-police-forces/index.html
- The recent violent crime incident in Cincinnati, which led to six people being charged with felonious assault and aggravated rioting, has prompted Vice President JD Vance to advocate for federal involvement in helping cities address the law enforcement recruitment challenge.
- Vice President JD Vance has been vocal about the need for cities to solve the law enforcement recruitment crisis, as it is a crucial step towards making American cities safe, particularly in light of the current understaffing in big city police departments and the discouragement felt by current and veteran officers.
