Vice President JD Vance appeared on ABC’s “The View” on Tuesday, June 16, to promote his new book, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” and found himself facing sharp questions from co-host Whoopi Goldberg about the Trump administration’s record on race and crime.
Goldberg challenged Vance directly on what she described as stigmatizing people of color. “What did black people do to this administration to make you stigmatize folks of color?!” she asked.
JD Vance Defends Record Using Washington, D.C. Crime Data
Vance responded by directly pointing to results in Washington, D.C. “Look at Washington, DC, one of the most democratic and one of the blackest by share of population cities, has seen a radical decrease in violent crime and sexual assault and murders,” he said.
He added that the administration takes crime seriously for a basic reason. “We have tried to take the crime issue seriously in part because we believe everybody, whether you are black or white or rich or poor, deserves to live in a safe neighborhood,” Vance said.
Recent D.C. crime data backs up part of his point as homicides in the District dropped sharply in 2025 and continued lower into 2026.
Year-to-date figures show homicides down around 41 percent compared to the prior year in early 2026 tracking, with other violent crimes also trending down from peaks seen in 2023.
Goldberg Questions Removal of Black Historical References
City officials and federal reports have noted sustained declines in murders, robberies, and assaults after years of elevated numbers.
The exchange grew tense when Goldberg shifted to cultural issues. “Why is this administration doing all kinds of removal of black heroes?” she asked.
Vance pressed for specifics. “What exactly are you talking about, Whoopi? I want to respond to your actual point,” he replied.
Goldberg responded haltingly. “In a lot of the, uh, uh, uh museums and just, there’s so many…” she said, trailing off without naming particular examples during the segment.
Vance’s D.C. example carries a lot of weight because the city has a large Black population and has voted overwhelmingly Democratic for decades.
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The vice president used the appearance to argue that safe streets benefit everyone, regardless of background.
He avoided broad generalizations and stuck to measurable outcomes on crime when responding to Goldberg’s questions.
Vance’s appearance on the “The View” represented a notable booking for the vice president on a program whose panel has regularly criticized him and the Trump administration in the past.
He went on the show as part of efforts to reach beyond his political base. In an interview with Fox News the day before, he explained that he wanted to talk to people whom he believes did not vote for him, even as he promotes his book.
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“It may be the optimist in me, but I just fundamentally think that most people, not everybody, but most people, even if I disagree with them, you ought to try to have a conversation with them,” he said.
He added, “My job as vice president of the United States is not just to talk to the people who voted for me; it’s to talk to the people who didn’t vote for me too. We’re going to go and try to have a good conversation. I hope they meet me halfway. I’m a little skeptical, but we’ll see.”
The New Book
The book “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” released the same day, recounts Vance’s individual journey with religion.
It describes how he stepped away from the Christianity of his youth before returning, including his conversion to Catholicism.
The memoir follows his earlier bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy” and mixes reflections on faith with major thoughts on life and public service.
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