An unnerving incident unfolded early Monday morning at the Cincinnati residence of Vice President JD Vance, where a suspect armed with a hammer reportedly smashed windows in what authorities are now describing as an attempted break-in. Though no injuries were reported and the Vance family was not home at the time, the breach has raised renewed concerns about political violence and the safety of elected officials and their families — especially in an era of heightened national tension.
According to Cincinnati police dispatch records cited by Cincinnati.com and Fox19, the U.S. Secret Service requested immediate police assistance around 12:15 a.m. after agents observed a man fleeing the property. Roads in the area had been closed in the days before and after New Year’s, signaling the presence — or expected presence — of the vice president or his family. However, reports now indicate that Vice President Vance had departed the residence earlier Sunday afternoon, potentially avoiding a far more serious confrontation.
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
The suspect, identified as 26-year-old William DeFoor, is now facing multiple charges: obstructing official business, criminal damaging or endangering, criminal trespass, and vandalism. Authorities say DeFoor used a hammer to smash four windows before he was subdued and arrested by the Secret Service.
While the motive remains unknown, and law enforcement has yet to release detailed statements, the nature of the attack — a politically prominent target, an armed intruder, and forced property damage — cannot be casually dismissed. The optics are grim: a vice president’s home, under the protection of federal agents, penetrated by a suspect in the dead of night. It recalls not just the vulnerability of political figures, but the unpredictable volatility of today’s climate.
Vice President Vance, who was inaugurated in January 2025, expressed gratitude on social media to those who reached out with concern, but remained measured in tone. It’s not yet clear whether the break-in was politically motivated or the result of mental illness, but either way, the security protocols in place appear to have functioned swiftly and effectively, neutralizing a potentially dangerous situation.
UPDATE: William DeFoor, 26, charged after trying to break into Vice President JD Vance’s Ohio home. He was using a hammer to break the windows – WXIX pic.twitter.com/7ZMgoBE3Fz
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 5, 2026
Vance and his wife, Usha, split their time between Washington, D.C., Virginia, and their Ohio residence — but like all vice presidents, they reside primarily at Number One Observatory Circle, the official vice presidential residence. Whether the Cincinnati property will now see enhanced security or remain an occasional retreat remains to be seen.
For now, the suspect is in custody, and the Vance family is safe. But the echoes of this event — like broken glass in the dark — may resonate longer than the headlines.
