Defense Attorney Attributes Vandalism at Vice President JD Vance’s Home to Mental Health Issues
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The suspect accused of vandalizing the Cincinnati home of Vice President JD Vance appeared in court Tuesday, with his defense attorney asserting that the attack was not politically motivated but instead rooted in mental health struggles. William DeFoor, 26, faces a slew of charges after allegedly wielding a hammer to damage property at the protected residence on Monday, January 5, 2026.
During the hearing, defense attorney Paul Laufman emphasized that DeFoor’s actions “had nothing to do with the specifics of the vice president,” describing the incident as “purely a mental health issue.” Laufman portrayed DeFoor as an individual who composes “peaceful” poetry, distancing him from any ideological intent. The court set DeFoor’s bond at $11,000 for four non-federal charges including vandalism, criminal trespass, criminal damaging or endangering, and obstructing official business.
DeFoor was also scheduled to appear later Tuesday in federal court, where he faces more serious allegations. These include damaging government property, engaging in physical violence against persons or property within a restricted building or grounds, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers. The federal charges reflect the involvement of the U.S. Secret Service, which protects Vice President Vance and responded swiftly to the incident.
According to the affidavit filed Monday, DeFoor ran along the front fence of Vance’s residence before breaching the property line at the driveway. He allegedly attempted to break the driver’s side window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle stationed at the entrance, ignoring commands to stop and drop the hammer. The suspect then proceeded to shatter multiple glass windows across the front of the home, which was unoccupied at the time. Vance and his family were reportedly out of state during the attack.
Enhanced security assets installed on each window, valued at over $28,000 and owned by the U.S. government, sustained damage from the hammer strikes. DeFoor attempted to flee before Secret Service agents and Cincinnati police officers detained him. FBI sources revealed that upon arrest, DeFoor requested to be called “Julia.”
Court records indicate that DeFoor has a history of criminal cases in Hamilton County, many intersecting with assessments of his mental competency. This background aligns with the defense’s argument that the vandalism was not politically driven but rather symptomatic of ongoing mental health challenges.
The incident has drawn attention to the security protocols for residences of high-ranking officials. The U.S. Secret Service, under the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for safeguarding the vice president and his family, including their private residences.
As the case progresses, federal authorities will continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the attack. The charges highlight the seriousness with which threats to government officials’ safety are treated, especially when they involve restricted federal properties.
For more information on federal protections and legal proceedings, visit the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation websites. Updates on court proceedings can be found through the United States Courts portal.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about mental health and public safety, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in protecting elected officials and their families from unpredictable threats.
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