During Tuesday’s vice-presidential debate, CBS moderators were forced to cut the microphones of Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz as the two clashed over immigration policy.
The interruption came after Vance ignored an economy-related question, continuing to speak over the moderators to rebut a fact check regarding his controversial remarks about Haitian immigrants in Ohio.
Walz also jumped in, leading both candidates to be muted as the moderators informed them that “no one watching could hear them.”
Unlike the September debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the microphones for Vance and Walz stayed on. However, both campaigns agreed that CBS could mute them if needed.
Vance has consistently criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming that she effectively used a “magic wand” to grant legal status to thousands of Haitian migrants, including those in Springfield, Ohio.
He argued that Harris implemented Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these migrants, whom he continues to call “illegals” despite the program granting them legal status. Vance claims this was an overreach of power, describing it as a form of “amnesty” that harms small communities like Springfield by overwhelming local resources.
Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, prepare for a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
This is a developing article and will be updated with additional information.
