Vance’s speech encouraged firefighters to reconsider their political allegiances, citing past disappointments and the economic challenges they have faced.
When JD Vance took the stage, boos were heard from some members of the firefighters’ union. He acknowledged the mixed reactions, saying, “Sounds like we’ve got some fans and some haters.”
“That’s okay. Listen to what I have to say here, and I’ll make my pitch,” Vance continued, but further jeering ensued when he claimed that he and former President Trump represent the “most pro-worker Republican ticket in history.”
Speaking the day after Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, addressed the same convention, Vance asked the union to reassess their historical support for Democrats.
“In 2019, this union endorsed a Democrat for president with high hopes,” Vance said. “But sadly, I believe you’ve been let down.”
“And we have to be honest, my friends; the hard truth is that Kamala Harris is the latest in a long line of Democrats who come by every few years asking unions for money and promising you the moon, but often failing to deliver. After supporting Democrats for so long in this union, what has it gotten you?” he continued. “Over the past 70 years, union membership in this country—and this is not a good thing—has declined.”
“The influence of unions has declined, and the wages of working people, union and non-union alike, have not kept up with the pace of inflation over the last three and a half years,” Vance added. “So I want to ask you a question that Donald Trump asked America in 2016: What the hell do you have to lose?”
Vance also brought up the anti-police protests that took place across the country in the summer of 2020, suggesting that action needs to be taken against the criminals involved.
“We sure as hell will not bail out the criminals like Kamala Harris did,” he said. “The criminals, many of whom were going after our firefighters as they tried to keep our cities safe and put out the fires. We’re going to put criminals behind bars where they belong, and we will always stand with the courageous firefighters and first responders who keep this country safe every single day.”
He further assured the firefighters of his stance against unconstitutional mandates and promised to defend their rights.
“We’re going to defend your right to free speech, including your right to speak out about unconstitutional COVID vaccine mandates imposed by the current administration,” he also said. “We’re going to abolish every single mandate, and we’re going to fight to rehire every firefighter who was wrongly terminated with all the back pay that they deserve.”
Vance emphasised his criticism of the Democratic Party in his speech and promoted the Trump-Vance ticket as a better choice for union workers and public servants. He focused on key issues such as labour rights, public safety, and administrative mandates, promising more support and significant policy changes.