JD Vance Faces Boos at Milan Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
U.S. Vice President JD Vance faced significant backlash at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan. He was greeted with loud boos from the audience when his image appeared on the stadium’s large screen.
Boos During the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
The negative reaction highlighted the tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policies, particularly protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ceremony took place amidst a backdrop of sustained demonstrations throughout Milan, where anti-ICE sentiments were palpable.
Protests in Milan
- Hundreds of protesters marched through Milan, carrying signs that stated “ICE out.”
- Demonstrators condemned the involvement of Homeland Security Investigations personnel linked to ICE during the Games.
- Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala publicly criticized ICE, referring to them as a “militia that kills.”
Despite the uproar, U.S. Olympic officials asserted that no ICE agents were part of Team USA. They clarified that Olympic security operations were independent of immigration enforcement.
Political Context
Simultaneously, New Jersey officials were engaged in a legal battle with the Trump administration. They claimed political retaliation was linked to immigration policy disputes. The administration’s freeze on the $16 billion Gateway Tunnel Project funding was seen as a reprisal for New Jersey’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
On February 6, a federal judge intervened by issuing a temporary order that allowed funding for the project to continue, thereby permitting construction to advance.
This moment at the Milan Winter Olympics underscored how local immigration issues resonate globally, impacting international events and diplomatic relationships.
