He stood his ground.
Republican vice presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance from Ohio defended his running mate, former President Donald Trump, claiming that Trump’s disagreements with former Pentagon officials stem from his refusal to engage in “unnecessary wars.” Vance suggested that this stance has prompted criticism from figures like former White House chief of staff John Kelly.
In a recent interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Vance engaged in a heated exchange with host Jake Tapper regarding Kelly’s allegations that Trump embodies fascism. Vance argued that Kelly and other critics, including former Republican Representative Liz Cheney, have fundamental policy disagreements with Trump, particularly regarding military involvement. He described them as “conservative” in the sense that they advocate for extensive U.S. involvement in international conflicts, while Trump does not.
Tapper countered Vance’s assertions by highlighting the personal sacrifices of Kelly, whose son was killed in Afghanistan. Vance, a Marine veteran, acknowledged Kelly’s loss but maintained that it doesn’t invalidate his critique of Kelly’s views on military policy. He stated, “Donald Trump chose not to heed military leadership when they proposed unnecessary conflicts,” and pointed out that many former Pentagon officials, especially neoconservatives, differ from Trump regarding war and peace.
“I believe Donald Trump represents the peace candidate,” Vance asserted, arguing that the backlash against Trump is less about his personality and more about his unwillingness to engage in wars that many former officials support. He noted that his conclusions are based on discussions with individuals from the Trump administration.
Tapper referenced other former Trump administration officials, including Mark Milley, Mike Pence, and John Bolton, who have been critical of Trump. In response, Vance claimed that criticism often arises from being dismissed after failure, contrasting Trump’s decisiveness in removing underperforming officials with Vice President Kamala Harris’s alleged tolerance for failure in her administration.
Vance criticized Tapper for not addressing pressing issues affecting Americans, such as rising costs for groceries and housing. “These critics didn’t deem Trump unfit until they had personal disagreements with him, which often stem from being fired,” he noted. He emphasized that the American public suffers when military leaders fail to follow the commander in chief’s directives.
Vance expressed frustration over the focus on Trump’s controversial remarks rather than his actions while in office. He asserted that Trump advocates for cautious military engagement and peace through strength, denying that Trump ever suggested using the military against U.S. citizens.
On the topic of Trump’s comments regarding “enemies from within,” Vance clarified that Trump’s criticisms were aimed at “far-left extremists” and those who engaged in violent protests during the summer of 2020, asserting that federal law enforcement should act accordingly.
Vance also made appearances on CBS and NBC’s Sunday shows, discussing foreign policy. He stated that Trump would remain committed to NATO but insists that other member countries should contribute their fair share. He characterized Russian President Vladimir Putin as a clear adversary while advocating for smart diplomatic approaches to resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine.
