Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance argued in a recent interview that former President Trump has clashed with former Pentagon officials over his refusal to enter “ridiculous wars.” Vance stated that individuals like former White House chief of staff John Kelly have spoken out against Trump because they disagree with him on policy, particularly in the realm of military conflict. He defended Trump’s stance on peace, stating that the former president refused to engage in conflicts that were deemed unnecessary by many in the Pentagon bureaucracy and neoconservatives.
During the interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Vance sparred with host Jake Tapper over allegations made by Kelly that Trump is a fascist. Tapper pushed back, mentioning Kelly’s personal connection to the war in Afghanistan as his son died in combat. However, Vance maintained his position, asserting that while he honors Kelly’s son’s sacrifice, it does not mean Kelly was correct in his policy views. Vance argued that Trump’s decision not to engage in unwarranted conflicts was a sign of his commitment to peace, suggesting that this may be the reason why some former officials have criticized him.
Vance also criticized other former Trump administration officials who have spoken out against Trump, including Mark Milley, Mike Pence, James Mattis, Mark Esper, and John Bolton. He suggested that the reason why these individuals are critical of Trump is that the former president was not afraid to fire those who failed in their roles. Vance contrasted this with Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he claimed protects failures within the government. He emphasized the importance of focusing on public policy issues impacting Americans’ livelihoods, such as the rising cost of groceries and housing.
In response to Tapper’s focus on Trump’s controversial statements and actions, Vance argued that Trump’s policies, such as using American troops sparingly and promoting peace through strength, should be the main point of discussion. He denied allegations that Trump ever intended to use the U.S. military against the American people and clarified Trump’s comments on dealing with perceived threats from within the country. Vance highlighted the need for federal law enforcement to address instances of violence and rioting.
Vance’s appearances on CBS and NBC continued to address Trump’s foreign policy stance. He emphasized Trump’s commitment to NATO but stressed the importance of other countries fulfilling their defense obligations. Vance acknowledged Russian President Vladimir Putin as an adversary but advocated for smart diplomacy, particularly in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. He reiterated Trump’s desire for NATO to be a strong alliance while also calling for member countries to contribute their fair share to defense efforts. Vance’s interviews focused on clarifying Trump’s foreign policy priorities and his approach to international relations.
