When JD Vance stepped onto the tarmac at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, he didn’t just arrive in North Carolina—he declared war on what he called a culture of fear. The 50th Vice President of the United States, speaking before a crowd of state legislators, police officers, and local business owners, didn’t mince words: "We’re here to talk about law enforcement. And we’re here to talk about the basic fact that you all pay your taxes. They go to safe streets and safe cities. You ought to be able to enjoy the places that were built by your tax dollars. You ought not be afraid of the criminals. It’s very simple." That blunt message set the tone for what was Vance’s first official trip to North Carolina since taking office. The event, held at 10:57 AM UTC, wasn’t just a speech—it was a political rally dressed as a policy briefing. Behind him stood a line of uniformed officers and unidentified state lawmakers, a visual cue that this was about solidarity, not just slogans.
"Back the Blue" and the Rejection of "Reimagining" Law Enforcement
Vance didn’t just criticize crime—he blamed the philosophy behind how it’s been addressed. He took direct aim at what he described as liberal policies in New York and California, contrasting them with North Carolina’s supposed common-sense approach. "We don’t have to be New York and California where they let crime run rampant," he said. "And we’re going to put a stop to it here in North Carolina." He singled out an unnamed executive order from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, which he interpreted as an attempt to "reimagine law enforcement." Vance’s rebuttal was immediate: "I don’t think we need to reimagine law enforcement. What we need to do is enforce the law and we need to back the blue in North Carolina." The phrase "back the blue" became a refrain, repeated with palpable emotion. He praised local officers by name—though none were identified publicly—and called them "incredible." He noted that some cities in North Carolina have murder rates worse than Charlotte’s. "That’s a disgrace," he said. "And it’s not because police are failing. It’s because the rules have been rewritten to make it harder for them to do their jobs."The "One Big Beautiful Bill" and Tax Cuts as Tools for Public Safety
Vance tied crime policy directly to economic policy, a hallmark of the Trump administration’s messaging. He repeatedly referenced the "One Big Beautiful Bill" currently under discussion in Congress—a shorthand for the administration’s sweeping legislative agenda that includes tax cuts, border security funding, and expanded police grants. "We’re empowering state and local law enforcement through President Trump’s tax cuts for working families," Vance said. "That’s not just about money in your pocket. It’s about money in your community’s safety fund." He argued that lower taxes on small businesses and manufacturers would lead to more jobs—and fewer people turning to crime out of desperation. "When you see wages go up and jobs get created all across this state," he told the crowd, "you’re not just seeing economic growth. You’re seeing crime prevention." The connection may be ideological rather than statistically proven, but it’s politically potent. Vance framed economic revitalization as inseparable from public safety. "If you don’t have public safety," he said, echoing President Trump, "we don’t have a country."Contrasting North Carolina with the "Coastal Elite" Model
The speech was as much about identity politics as it was about policy. Vance positioned North Carolina as the antithesis of what he called "coastal elite" governance. New York and California were invoked not as case studies, but as cautionary tales. "They think we ought to make it harder for police to keep us safe than easier for police to keep us safe," Vance said, referring to what he described as "a crew of violent radicals" in urban policy circles. He didn’t name specific organizations or legislation, but the implication was clear: progressive reforms like defunding police, ending cash bail, or reducing prison sentences were under attack. His tone wasn’t just critical—it was dismissive. He didn’t engage with the complexities of policing reform. Instead, he offered a binary: either you support law enforcement unconditionally, or you’re enabling chaos.Economic Promise and the Reagan Comparison
The economic pitch was equally bold. Vance claimed the administration was overseeing "the most transformational term certainly since Ronald Reagan’s first term if not even before that." He pointed to trade policies that, he said, were benefiting North Carolina farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses. "America is respected around the world again," he declared, linking economic confidence to foreign policy—a nod to his comments on the Russia-Ukraine war, which he mentioned briefly as part of a broader theme of restoring American strength. He didn’t cite specific trade deals or job numbers, but he didn’t need to. The emotional resonance mattered more than the data. "If you work hard and play by the rules," he promised, "we’re going to give our kids and our grandkids something that’s just a little bit more prosperous, a little bit more secure and a little bit more proud than what we were given."What Comes Next? Federal Support, Local Requests
Vance closed by offering federal assistance—but only if local authorities asked for it. "If the local government wants our help, if the local authorities want our help, then we are going to help them," he said. "Because we stand for American safety everywhere, whether it’s a big city or a small one." That’s a crucial nuance. It signals a strategy of decentralized enforcement: federal backing, but only activated at the request of state and local leaders. It’s a way to avoid direct federal overreach while still projecting dominance. Media outlets including WCNC, WRAL-TV, CBN News, and LiveNOW from FOX covered the event extensively, noting this was Vance’s inaugural official visit to the state as Vice President. Sources close to the administration say additional trips to Raleigh, Greensboro, and Asheville are already being planned for the coming months.Background: Why Concord? Why Now?
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, located just 20 miles northeast of Charlotte, isn’t just a random stop. It’s a symbol. Concord is a growing suburb with a mix of manufacturing, logistics, and middle-class families—exactly the demographic the Trump campaign targeted in 2024. The airport itself serves general aviation and small commercial flights, making it a practical choice for a Vice President avoiding the congestion of Charlotte Douglas International. The choice of venue also avoids the optics of a high-profile downtown rally, instead projecting a "people’s event"—grassroots, unpretentious, and grounded in everyday American life. This isn’t Vance’s first time in North Carolina. He’s campaigned here before. But this was his first official visit as Vice President. And it was unmistakably political.Frequently Asked Questions
How does JD Vance’s speech affect North Carolina’s law enforcement funding?
Vance did not announce new federal funding during the speech, but he pledged support for the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which includes $2 billion in grants for state and local police departments. If passed, North Carolina could receive up to $120 million based on population and crime statistics. However, the bill remains in committee, and no funding is guaranteed until Congress approves it.
What’s the real impact of Vance’s criticism of Governor Roy Cooper’s policies?
Governor Cooper’s administration has not enacted "defund the police" measures, but it did issue a 2023 executive order to review use-of-force protocols and expand mental health response teams. Vance’s characterization oversimplifies these reforms. Critics argue his framing ignores evidence that community-based safety programs reduce violent crime without increasing arrests.
Did Vance provide data to back his claims about rising wages and job growth in North Carolina?
No specific data was cited during the speech. However, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from August 2025 shows North Carolina’s unemployment rate at 3.8%, down from 4.2% in early 2024, and median hourly wages rose 3.1% year-over-year—slightly above the national average. Manufacturing jobs grew by 2.4% in the state, largely driven by automotive and electronics sectors.
How does this speech fit into the broader 2026 midterm strategy?
North Carolina is a key swing state with 16 electoral votes. Vance’s visit is part of a broader Republican effort to mobilize suburban voters by linking crime and economic anxiety. With the state legislature split and a competitive U.S. Senate race looming, the message targets voters who feel abandoned by urban-centric policies—and who may be swayed by promises of "law and order."