Vance Says He Sees No Corruption in Trump Administration and Pledges to Obey Subpoenas at CBS Michigan Town Hall

Since the Saturday, Oct. 17 CBS News town hall in Flat Rock, Michigan, where Vice President JD Vance was pressed on the cost of living, the fuller record of what he said on corruption, immigration, Iran and his own political future has come into focus.

The hour-long event, hosted by "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil, aired Saturday evening. It landed in a state that helped carry Trump and Vance in 2024 and now hosts a tight open Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers.

Gas prices and who gets the blame

The first question came from a 43-year-old Detroit barber who asked why gas prices are far higher than in Trump's first term.

Vance pointed first to Iran's attacks on commercial shipping and the disruption to global energy markets. He then turned to Joe Biden. "That's actually the biggest reason why gas prices are so high, because when Joe Biden was president, we had about 20% of American refining capacity that went offline," Vance said.

He said the administration is using the Defense Production Act to rebuild domestic refining capacity, and that the work will take time.

Dokoupil pushed back. Trump and Vance have been in office for nearly two years, he noted, and Americans are still paying high gas prices.

Sandy Johnson, who owns a family entertainment center, told Vance it is "barely making ends meet." Vance called the problem a "bipartisan, multi-generational failure to under-invest in American workers" and manufacturing. He cited promised foreign investment and growth plans at GM, Ford and Stellantis. "We are turning the tide on this," he said.

Corruption questions and the subpoena pledge

Dokoupil cited a Fox News poll finding 60% of voters extremely concerned about government corruption. He asked whether anything inside the Trump White House had made Vance feel "squeamish."

"You certainly see evidence of corruption in Washington, D.C. Do I see evidence of corruption from the president of the United States, from the administration? No, Tony, I just don't," Vance said.

The question came days after Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece amid allegations that she sought $100,000 from a donor seeking access to Trump administration officials. Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing.

Dokoupil also raised concerns about restrictions on IRS scrutiny of Trump's tax returns and the president's cryptocurrency earnings. Vance said selling access to the White House would be "disgusting and despicable" and that anyone responsible should face consequences.

Asked whether he would comply with subpoenas investigating alleged corruption if Democrats take control of Congress in January, Vance did not hedge. "Of course, of course I will. Look, we follow the law. I follow the law."

H-1B rhetoric

A naturalized U.S. citizen who said she voted for Vance challenged his description of some H-1B visa workers as "foreign indentured servants."

Vance allowed that his rhetoric may have been imperfect. "To the extent that my rhetoric has been imperfect here, that's on me," he said. He said his target was companies that exploit foreign workers, not immigrants. He argued the H-1B system gives employers too much power over visa holders and lets companies replace American workers. "That's not a criticism of the H-1B visa holder. That's a criticism of a company who brings a person in, who sometimes will literally lay off an American worker," he said. He said his aim is not to dehumanize anyone but to maintain social cohesion. Shortly after the pre-recorded town hall aired, he posted on X that events in France were a cautionary tale for the United States.

Iran and 2028

Dokoupil asked why the war with Iran has not ended in a decisive win. Vance argued that "in some ways we have won decisively," saying American strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear program, the central reason for Trump's operation.

He said the administration is still seeking a long-term, verifiable commitment from Iran not to rebuild that capability and not to disrupt energy supplies. He accused Iran of terrorizing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

On his own future, Dokoupil asked if there is any chance Vance won't run for president in 2028. "Of course there's a chance," Vance said, calling himself a procrastinator who hates thinking about big life decisions. He noted that he and Usha Vance have four young children. Trump has called Vance his "most likely" successor and has joked about a contest between Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

What the polling says

CBS News polling shows the cost of living is a liability for Republicans. Polls indicate most voters remain unhappy with the economy and hold the Trump administration responsible, despite the inflation anger that helped put Trump and Vance in office. Dokoupil's follow-up on gas prices reflected that: the administration is now the incumbent, and blaming Biden gets harder with each month.

Vance's answer on corruption is the line voters can test. He says he sees none from the president or the administration, while the Guilfoyle allegations, the IRS restrictions and Trump's crypto earnings are all questions Dokoupil put to him on air.

The subpoena promise has a clear trigger. The midterms are next month, and the Democratic takeover Dokoupil asked about would take effect in January. Vance has now said, on camera, how he would respond if a subpoena arrives.