Washington, D.C. — Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, voiced sharp criticism of the Biden-Harris administration on Monday for what he called a lack of action in securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel last year.
Speaking at the Philos Project’s Memorial Rally and March on the National Mall, Vance briefly targeted President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing them of not doing enough to bring the hostages home.
“It is disgraceful that we have an American president and vice president who haven’t done a thing,” Vance said. “Vice President Harris, our message is, ‘Bring them home.’ Use your authority to help bring them home. We can do it. We need real leadership.”
The Oct. 7, 2023, attack, carried out by Iran-backed Hamas, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, including 46 U.S. citizens. Around 250 hostages were taken, and a year later, roughly 100 people, including several Americans, remain in captivity. U.S. efforts to broker a cease-fire and secure the hostages’ release have stalled.
The attack triggered a war in Gaza, with Israel launching a military campaign to eliminate Hamas and recover the hostages. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, although the figures do not differentiate between civilians and militants.
Vance’s comments followed criticism of Vice President Harris for her response during a “60 Minutes” interview, where she struggled to articulate support for Israel fully. Vance contrasted the current administration’s stance with that of former President Trump, offering full support for Israel and promising that Trump would ensure the return of American hostages.
“I speak for Donald Trump in saying that when he is president, America will protect our American Jewish brothers and sisters. We will stop funding anti-American and anti-Jewish radicals. And we are going to bring home American hostages wherever they’re held and whoever is holding them,” Vance stated.
“We want to give Israel the right and the ability to finish what Hamas started. Israel didn’t start this. Hamas did. But Israel is going to finish it,” he concluded.
