JD Vance spars with NBC host over Trump's economy, Harris's illegal immigration record

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, sparred with NBC's Kristen Welker on Meet the Press on Sunday.

The Republican vice presidential nominee assertively rebutted Welker's takes on the economy under former President Donald Trump and illegal immigration under "border czar" Vice President Kamala Harris.

Vance said illegal immigration is "way too high. It's millions upon millions of illegal immigrants just since Kamala Harris became the border czar a few years ago."

"She was put in charge of the root causes of immigration," Welker replied.

"Well, the root causes of migration is that Kamala Harris refuses to do her job as Border Czar," Vance fired back.

When Welker claimed a Biden executive order reduced illegal crossing, Vance replied that the Biden administration made it easier for illegal immigrants to enter legally.

Welker then moved on to the economy, highlighting Trump's pro-tariff policy.

"Let's talk about Trump’s record during his first term. He did impose rounds of tariffs, and it cost Americans nearly $80 billion in new taxes. Would you acknowledge that imposing more tariffs would ultimately cost consumers?" Welker asked.

"China and a number of other countries are using effectively slave labor to undercut the wages of American workers," Vance replied. "Donald Trump thinks that has to stop."

When Welker pressed Vance on whether Trump's tariffs would harm the middle class, Vance highlighted the economy under Trump's previous presidency.

"We had 12,000 factories that were built during Donald Trump's presidency, inflation never really ticked about 2% his entire administration," Vance said.

You can watch the complete interview here.