Key facts
- Senator JD Vance linked the murder of Henry Nowak to an 'invasion of migrants' and 'civilizational decline.'
- Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa and died in police custody.
- Police handcuffed Nowak while he was bleeding and reportedly did not believe he had been stabbed.
- The Trump administration criticized 'two-tiered policing' and 'civilizational decline' in response to the case.
- Vickrum Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Senator JD Vance has linked the murder of Henry Nowak to an 'invasion of migrants' and 'civilizational decline.' The incident occurred in December 2025 when Nowak, returning home, encountered Vickrum Digwa. Digwa, who was carrying a ceremonial knife, stabbed Nowak five times after claiming Nowak made racist remarks and removed his turban. Police handcuffed Nowak, who was bleeding and stated he had been stabbed, but reportedly did not believe him and he subsequently died in police custody. The Trump administration issued a statement criticizing 'ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing' as symptoms of 'civilizational decline' and sent condolences to Nowak's family. Vance echoed these sentiments, stating Nowak's death was a result of European elites failing to 'stand their ground against the politics of self-hatred and the mass invasion of migrants.' Digwa was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years. His mother was found guilty of assisting an offender. Police have since apologized for the handling of the case, acknowledging Nowak should have been saved and that he was handcuffed and arrested before losing consciousness. Elon Musk also commented extensively on the case, criticizing media silence and the 'state religion' of accusing individuals of racism.