Around midnight on January 5th, 2026, the Secret Service observed a man running around the property fence line of Vice President J.D. Vance’s Cincinnati home. He went on to vandalize Secret Service property and smash windows on the house.
Secret Service agents pursued the suspect, and he was later identified as 26-year-old William D. DeFoor. He is being accused of causing approximately $28,000 in damages. In response to this violence, Vance posted on X, “I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home… We weren’t even home as we had already returned to D.C.”
DeFoor was originally charged with vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damage, and obstructing official business. While he still has to face an arraignment for these charges, the Justice Department announced Monday that it will also be charging DeFoor with two federal crimes. These include damaging government property and engaging in physical violence against property in a restricted area. These Federal Charges come with harsher punishments.
Vance also added one particularly troubling aspect to his X post that states: “One request to the media: 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 window.” Vance’s post highlights the risks of being prevalent in the public image and Vance’s determination to protect his family.
Although this story is still developing, The Economic Times has reported that DeFoor is related to a millionaire donor of the democratic party. More insight into DeFoor’s past and background may reveal a possible motive.
