EXCLUSIVE: TYLER, Texas — Faced with an uphill battle in November’s midterms as costs soar for Americans, Vice President JD Vance is making a pitch that the alternative is not better — and argues that Democrats would only make existing problems like street crime worse.

«It sort of drives home how the Democrats have kind of lost their minds,» Vance told Digital on Tuesday when asked about a recent rash of Somali gang violence in Minnesota.

«And if you elect Democrats, you’re fundamentally electing people who will invite criminals into your state, into your communities and make your communities less safe,» he added in discussing the upcoming duel for control of Congress.

In typically-blue Minnesota, Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate, but facing a tough challenge from Republican Michele Tafoya.

100-SHOT SOMALI GANG GUN BATTLE ROCKS MINNESOTA AS SHERIFF WARNS ‘WE’RE IN TROUBLE’

«If you elect Republicans, you may not agree with us on everything, but we agree on some basic principles,» Vance continued. «Like, for example, everybody should be safe, everybody should be secure in their communities — and we don’t want let violent criminals come into our country.»

«So, I do think that contrast is driven a little bit more starkly given what’s happening in Minnesota.»

Digital spoke with the vice president after a campaign rally in the town of Tyler, Texas, about 100 miles east of Dallas, on Tuesday. There, Vance rallied for Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who is also in a tight U.S. Senate race with Democrat state Rep. James Talarico.

POLL: IT’S A LONE STAR SENATE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TALARICO AND PAXTON

The progressive candidate recently returned from a two-week campaign absence, which Vance described as «odd.»

«How old is he? Thirty-five? Forty?» Vance questioned of Talarico. «You’ve got to have the energy to do the job, and taking two weeks off the campaign in October — that’s the meat of the campaign — I just think it’s a very, very bizarre thing.»

The vice president added that he hopes Talarico’s health is okay, but that Texans must weigh whether he has the energy to do the job as a U.S. Senator.

TALARICO DISAPPEARANCE HAS DEM VOLUNTEERS WORRYING AND TRUMP ASKING, ‘WHAT IS GOING ON?’

In that race, Talarico has demanded a debate with Paxton, who has yet to oblige. President Donald Trump said that the two should debate, posting to Truth Social that Paxton is «ready, willing, and able.» Vance took a softer stance when asked about a potential debate.

«That’s ultimately something Ken Paxton and James Talarico are going to decide,» Vance told Digital, adding that Paxton will make a «great senator.»

«Obviously, those are some those are things the campaigns have to negotiate,» he continued. «But, I’ll let Ken Paxton and James Talarico make that decision. Ultimately, they each have to make their case to the people of Texas.»

Nationwide, Republicans are underwater when it comes to the economy and cost of living, along with the war in Iran, according to polling.

REPUBLICANS FACE BRUTAL MIDTERM HEADWINDS. SIX FORCES COULD HELP THEM DEFY HISTORY.

Of those polled in September, 61% say gas prices are a major problem, up from 48% two years ago, while 52% say the same for healthcare costs, up from 44%. Majorities also view housing costs (54%, down from 60%) and grocery prices (62%, down from 66%) as major problems ahead of the November election.

In a similar poll, 71% of respondents said the Trump administration lacks a concrete strategy for ending the ongoing war in Iran.

The two issues are closely related — as gas prices spiked sharply from a national average of $2.98 per gallon at the start of the war earlier this year, to an average of $4.33 per gallon today.

«Well, we obviously want gas prices to be as low as they possibly can,» Vance said. «And I think voters have to ask themselves, who has affirmatively taken steps to lower gas prices in the face, of course, of the Iranians terrorizing international shipping?»

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS BREAK WITH TRUMP ON DIESEL DEAL WITH RUSSIA

Vance accused Democrats of complaining about the problem without offering solutions.

«We saw the president’s announcement, with Russian diesel being allowed to come into the market,» he said. «We have massive refinery capacity that we’re announcing that we’re going to build upon here. So, we’re doing everything that we can, recognizing that building out energy refining capacity takes some time.»

«I’m very cognizant that a lot of Americans are struggling with high gas prices,» he acknowledged. «We’re doing as much as we can to address as much of the pain as possible.»

The 50th vice president stopped short of providing a definitive end date or marker that would signify an end to the war, but said that Iran must commit «not to rebuild [uranium enrichment] capacity and to stay off a pathway of nuclear weapons.»

«They’re going to stay off the pathway that’s developing a nuclear weapon, and I think the president’s been quite clear about that. I think the entire administration has been quite clear about that.»

jd vance, politics, midterm elections, texas, minnesota

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Pope Leo XIV underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray Wednesday following surgery to remove a small nodule on his lung, with his recovery going «as expected,» the Vatican announced.

Advertisement

The development comes after the Holy See Press Office said «the night passed calmly for the Pope» at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

The 71-year-old pontiff on Tuesday underwent thoracic surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung with doctors confirming he had lung adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.

«This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled after surgery. The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed,» it attributed Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora as saying.

Advertisement

Pope Leo XIV arrives at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, where he’s expected to be operated to remove a lung nodule. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

POPE LEO DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER AFTER SURGEONS REMOVE PART OF RIGHT LUNG, VATICAN SAYS

«The Holy Father has undergone respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking around his room. He has resumed eating normally and had breakfast and lunch,» their statement added. «His recovery is proceeding as expected.»

Advertisement

The pope’s diagnosis was confirmed through a tissue examination conducted during the operation, consistent with findings from preoperative tests, the Vatican said.

POPE LEO DENOUNCES DEATH PENALTY AS ‘INADMISSIBLE’ AHEAD OF PENTAGON’S PLANNED LIVESTREAMED EXECUTION

An image of Pope Leo XIV rests at the base of a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, where Leo is hospitalized for surgery to remove a lung nodule, in Rome, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

The pope spent approximately three hours in the operating room, although the surgery itself lasted about 90 minutes.

Advertisement

Doctors said the procedure was successful and there were no complications.

«Doctors found a small lump in the lung,» Leo said after an Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square on Monday. «It was identified at a very early stage and well situated.»

Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Health Director Andrea Cambieri as he arrives at the Gemelli University Hospital for an operation to remove a lump from his lung, in Rome on October 13, 2026. (Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images)

«The doctors consider it appropriate to intervene and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it,» he continued. «The surgery is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and I rely on your prayer.»

Advertisement

Fox News’ Courtney Walsh, Anders Hagstrom and Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Advertisement

pope leo xiv, cancer, surgery, vatican, health, world

En enero, una persona empezó a dejar amenazas en los buzones de voz de algunos miembros del Congreso: “Quiero ver su garganta cortada de oreja a oreja”.

Otra persona dejó una amenaza directa para un senador estadounidense: “Te voy a asesinar, y voy a empezar por tus hijos”.

Un fiscal general estatal recibió esta misiva de tres palabras: “Bang, bang, bang”.

Ocupar un cargo público en Estados Unidos es peligroso. Desde el gobierno estatal y local hasta el Congreso, un torrente interminable de amenazas violentas inunda los buzones, las oficinas, los correos de voz y los mensajes de texto de quienes gobiernan el país. Miles de servidores públicos viven, trabajan y, en las últimas semanas de la temporada electoral, hacen campaña en un estado de miedo.

Y la situación está empeorando, dijeron los funcionarios en decenas de entrevistas.

Una investigación de The New York Times que examinó cientos de registros obtenidos a través de solicitudes de la Ley de Libertad de Información, documentos judiciales y bitácoras policiales ha descubierto que, durante un periodo de dos años desde 2024 hasta agosto de este año, miles de amenazas violentas inundaron de formas sin precedentes las vidas de los funcionarios electos.

Algunas amenazas eran vagas; otras, aterradoramente específicas. Prometían tortura, apuñalamientos, violación y asesinato. Se dirigían a republicanos y demócratas por igual, y a una variedad de funcionarios, desde secretarios de condado hasta senadores de Estados Unidos. Iban contra cónyuges, padres, hermanos e hijos.

Al menos 44 gobernadores, así como su personal y familias, han sido objeto de amenazas violentas en los últimos dos años, según descubrió la investigación del Times. Eso también es cierto para al menos 70 de los 100 senadores del país, y al menos 185 miembros de la Cámara de Representantes, casi la mitad de sus integrantes. Más de la mitad de los secretarios de Estado del país, la mayoría de los cuales fungen como los principales funcionarios electorales de sus estados, han recibido amenazas de violencia.

La violencia real también se disparó en ese periodo: los intentos de asesinato contra Donald Trump, el homicidio de Charlie Kirk, el asesinato de la líder legislativa Melissa Hortman y de su esposo en Minnesota, y el ataque con bombas incendiarias contra la casa del gobernador Josh Shapiro en Pensilvania. Para muchos funcionarios electos, esta escalada es un testimonio sombrío de la toxicidad de la retórica violenta y de cómo esta puede sacudir las instituciones democráticas del país.

Las amenazas también han transformado vidas privadas. Decenas de funcionarios han fortificado sus casas, instalado cámaras y contratado guardias de seguridad privada, a menudo pagando de su propio bolsillo. Han cambiado sus rutinas cotidianas, cambiado a sus hijos de escuela y limitado sus compras del supermercado a determinados horarios y lugares. Han eliminado de internet información personal sobre ellos y sus seres queridos.

Algunos de ellos han cambiado lo que dicen en público y, en casos raros, la manera en que gobiernan. Algunos, incluidos miembros del Congreso, han renunciado. A ambos partidos se les ha complicado reclutar candidatos, en especial mujeres.

Y combatir las amenazas violentas contra funcionarios es una tarea difícil. La revisión que hizo el Times de los datos de los tribunales federales de los últimos dos años encontró solo 53 casos en los que se acusó a individuos de amenazar a funcionarios públicos, excluyendo al presidente.

La imprecisión de las leyes estatales y federales, así como las protecciones a la libertad de expresión, pueden dificultar los procesos judiciales. Las cartas anónimas y los nombres de usuario pueden ser difíciles de rastrear. El simple volumen de las amenazas puede hacer que dar con los responsables sea prácticamente imposible.

Esta nueva normalidad también puede medirse en dólares gastados. En el ciclo electoral 2017-2018, los candidatos a cargos federales gastaron aproximadamente 6 millones de dólares en artículos relacionados con la seguridad, según los registros de financiación de campañas. En el actual ciclo de elecciones de mitad de mandato, para el 1 de agosto los candidatos ya habían gastado al menos 25 millones de dólares, con el impulso final de las elecciones generales aún por venir. Eso excluye lo que muchos funcionarios gastan de sus propios bolsillos.

data-cc-nyt