Vice President J.D. Vance and Lara Trump discussed the Department of Homeland Security shutdown and the broader debate over border enforcement and voter identification laws, arguing that Democrats are using the standoff for political leverage while resisting immigration enforcement.

During the exchange, Lara Trump characterized the shutdown as a strategic maneuver by Democrats.

“or the Democrats, they've now thrust us into a DHS shutdown, and they claim the reason is that they want more oversight into ice and CBP, but in doing so, have actually paused any ongoing audits into federal law enforcement conduct. So what this clearly is all a political play,” she said.

Vance responded by describing conversations he said he had with former Senate colleagues.

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“Yeah, so I actually talked to a couple of my former Senate colleagues, you know, people who are able to work across the aisle, who have good relationships with Democrats,” Vance said.

“And I said, Look, please come to me and the president and tell me what is it exactly the Democrats want to allow us to continue to enforce the border? What is it that they're asking for? What policy changes? We're not going to agree with a lot of them, but at least let's put an offer on the table, and what's become abundantly clear is there is no offer on the table,” he continued.

“They're just throwing a temper tantrum and hoping that the President will give up entirely on the idea of border enforcement,” Vance said.

“So what we will be willing to do is talk to anybody about how we can make the enforcement of our immigration laws easier and smoother. We're willing to have that conversation, but we're not going to give up on the American border,” he added.

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Lara Trump then turned to the SAVE AMERICA Act, raising its importance in the wake of the shutdown.

“Well, I imagine after the shutdown ends, number one priority will be passing the SAVE AMERICA Act,” she said.

“Absolutely,” Vance responded.

“Why is that so important for this country?” Lara Trump asked.

Vance framed voter identification requirements as a safeguard for election integrity.

“It's so simple to get on the airplane, you need voter ID to buy a beer, you need voter ID, but to do the most important thing that we do as American citizens, exercising our right to vote. We let anybody vote without any confirmation they actually have the right to vote in our elections,” Vance said.

“Now I think Laura, that's actually a form of theft, because let's say that you an American citizen, show up and vote for a candidate, and then somebody else who has no right to vote shows up and votes for a totally different candidate, that person is stealing your vote away from you, stealing your sovereignty as a American citizen. It's very disgraceful,” he continued.

Vance addressed Democratic criticism of voter ID laws.

“Now, what the Democrats will say, and I always find this so funny, they'll say, it's racist to ask for voter ID,” he said.

“I actually think that's kind of racist, assuming that people of color can't get a driver's license,” Vance added.

“And by the way, if you look at the polling, black, brown, Asian, everybody agrees it is a 9010 issue, that we should have voter ID to vote in our elections,” he said.

Vance also responded to arguments that voter fraud is not a widespread issue.

“The other thing, and this is my favorite, the Democrats will say, Laura, well, voter ID is not necessary, because nobody who's not allowed to vote ever votes in our elections?” he said.

“And my response to that is, well, if nobody who shouldn't vote does vote, then why do you care if we check their ID just to be extra careful,” Vance added.

Lara Trump concluded by noting the political timing of the issue.

“Well, obviously this is going to be an important thing, especially as we head towards the midterms in November,” she said.

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