In the past week and a half, Vice President JD Vance has taken significant actions, including putting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on notice, causing concern among long-standing Western European allies during his initial foreign trip, participating in sensitive budget negotiations on Capitol Hill, and passionately defending the Trump administration’s initial month to a conservative audience near Washington, D.C. Despite feeling the effects of a busy schedule, Vance expressed his contentment during the Conservative Political Action Conference, noting that he managed to get some rest the previous night.
Vance’s recent surge in activity marks a departure from his more reserved demeanor during the transition period, where he preferred to work behind the scenes. Speculation arose when entrepreneur Elon Musk’s interactions with President Donald Trump suggested a possible shift in Vance’s influence within the White House hierarchy. Nevertheless, Vance has emerged more prominently in his role, undertaking various responsibilities typical of a vice president, such as representing the administration internationally, liaising with Congress, and acting as a prominent spokesperson, all within the context of Trump’s unconventional leadership style.
A close adviser to Vance described him as President Trump’s versatile asset, able to adapt to the demands of the moment. Through interviews and social media engagement, Vance has demonstrated his fervent support for Trump while also carving out his own distinct path. However, his outspokenness has not been without criticism, notably for his comments on judicial oversight and immigration policies, which drew backlash from legal experts and religious figures.
Despite these challenges, Vance’s actions have been well-received within the White House, with reports indicating his active involvement in critical decision-making processes. Trump’s public endorsement of Vance following his controversial speech at the Munich Security Conference underscores the vice president’s growing influence within the administration.
In a recent interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier, the president praised a speech as very brilliant. When asked if he considered Vance as his successor, the president quickly responded with a “No,” but added that Vance is very capable. The president acknowledged Vance’s performance, stating that he believes Vance is doing a fantastic job so far, but it’s still early in the term.
This response contrasted sharply with the campaign’s previous stance on finding a strong leader to succeed the president for eight years after his next four-year term. Vance’s supporters downplayed the president’s remarks, expressing disappointment that the succession topic was raised early in the administration.
The conversation revealed the unique challenge of the Trump-Vance partnership, with Vance facing political decisions sooner than his predecessors due to the president’s constitutional term limits. Experts noted that Vance’s position as vice president under a president ineligible for re-election puts him in a different political dynamic compared to those eyeing future presidential runs.
Vance’s role in the administration has yet to be fully defined, with his success dependent on the assignments given to him by the president. Unlike past vice presidents who tackled politically sensitive issues, Vance has not yet been handed such tasks. The recent interaction over TikTok’s fate highlighted Vance’s role as a dealmaker, potentially shaping his portfolio in the administration.
The main surrogate for Trump, a president known for his unpredictable policy shifts, is Vance. Before Inauguration Day, Vance made it clear that those involved in the violence during the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot should not be pardoned, a stance that later put the vice president at odds when Trump decided to grant clemency to over 1,500 individuals linked to the riot. A similar conflict arose on abortion policy, as Vance claimed during the campaign that Trump would veto any federal abortion ban, only for Trump to contradict him in a televised debate. Despite this, Trump eventually stated that he would indeed veto such a ban. Marc Short, Pence’s chief of staff, acknowledged the challenges of being the president’s primary spokesperson, noting Trump’s tendency to change his positions at a moment’s notice.
The White House has not given an update on Vance’s efforts to address the ongoing TikTok ownership dispute, a top issue for Trump. While Trump initially wanted to ban the app, he later saw its value in reaching young voters. Vance was also tasked with garnering support on Capitol Hill for Trump’s Cabinet picks, including Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for the Pentagon, both facing prior allegations of sexual misconduct that they denied. Gaetz’s bid for attorney general was swiftly shut down by Senate Republicans, but Hegseth, favored by Trump, received a boost from Vance’s advocacy.
Vance’s success in salvaging a nearly-failed nominee led to a larger role of guiding the president’s other picks through their confirmation battles. By Friday morning, the Senate had approved 18 of Trump’s 22 nominees. To stay updated with more CNN news and newsletters, sign up for an account at CNN.com.
