US Vice President JD Vance’s residence in Cincinnati was attacked early Monday, with several windows smashed. Vance, who was in Washington DC at the time, has thanked the Secret Service and local police for their swift response, which led to a suspect being taken into custody.
What happened at the Vance residence?
In the early hours of Monday, an individual attacked the Vice President’s home in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood. The assailant used a hammer to break several windows in an attempted break-in. Secret Service agents stationed at the residence, along with Cincinnati Police, responded immediately. Authorities have one suspect in custody.
The incident followed heightened security in the area over the New Year holidays. Local roads near the property had been closed with checkpoints until Sunday, with officials warning residents of a continued law enforcement presence.
What did JD Vance say about the attack?
Vance addressed the incident in a post on the social media platform X. He confirmed his family was unharmed as they were not present.
“I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home,” Vance wrote. “As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the Secret Service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly.”
He also made a request to media outlets, citing privacy concerns for his children. “We try to protect our kids as much as possible from the realities of this life of public service. In that light, I am skeptical of the news value of plastering images of our home with holes in the windows.”
I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly.
We weren’t even home as we had returned…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 5, 2026
Where was the Vice President during the attack?
Vance and his family were in Washington DC when the attack occurred. “We weren’t even home as we had returned already to DC,” he stated in his post.
His travel schedule has recently been shaped by security protocols. Last week, Vance did not join President Trump and other officials at Mar-a-Lago to monitor a military operation in Venezuela. His office stated this was to avoid compromising operational security. Instead, he participated via secure video link before traveling to Cincinnati.
Why does this security incident matter now?
The attack highlights ongoing security challenges for high-profile officials, even at their private residences. Vance’s office has previously cited “increased security concerns” as a reason for limiting the time both the President and Vice President spend together away from the White House.
The swift apprehension of a suspect demonstrates the coordinated response between the US Secret Service—which protects the Vice President’s family—and local law enforcement. The incident is under investigation.
