Vice President JD Vance is facing backlash once again, this time after a disturbing encounter with pro-Ukrainian protesters.
While out for a walk with his three-year-old daughter in Cincinnati, protesters got dangerously close, shouting at the family.
Vance didn’t hold back on X, delivering a sharp two-word rebuke to those who threaten children.
Verbal confrontation
Vice President JD Vance has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, with his stance on the war in Ukraine sparking strong reactions. The most notable moment came when Vice President JD Vance confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, alongside Donald Trump.
His criticism towards Zelenskyy hasn’t gone unnoticed, and pro-Ukrainian voices have been quick to express their displeasure, leading to verbal confrontation.
One of these incidents unfolded on Saturday when Vance was strolling through his residential neighborhood, pushing his daughter Mirabel in a stroller, accompanied by Secret Service agents. Cell phone footage showed Vice President JD Vance being confronted by pro-Ukrainian protesters.
”My daughter grew increasingly anxious and scared,” JD Vance shared.
The protesters, part of a group shouting “Slava Ukraini” (Glory to Ukraine), aggressively followed the family and screamed at Vance.
In a post on X, Vance shared that he politely asked the protesters to “leave my toddler alone,” and nearly all of them agreed, realizing how inappropriate it was to target a child.
Despite the tension, Vance later said that the conversation was “mostly respectful,” but criticized those who chased down a three-year-old as part of a political protest.
The protestors, pressing Vance on the U.S. stance on Ukraine, hurled insults at him, accusing him of betraying Ukraine and siding with Russia. One protester screamed, “People are DYING!” while another yelled that Vance was “selling them [Ukrainians] out.” The accusations sparked loud agreement from the group, with many chanting that Vance was betraying Ukraine.
Pressed him on Russia
Vance, not backing down, calmly responded, “Respectfully, I disagree. I think what we’re doing is actually forcing a diplomatic settlement.” The protesters continued to press him on whether Russia would be diplomatic in ending the war, to which Vance clarified, “We’re forcing both the Russians and the Ukrainians.”
At one point, Vance found common ground with the group, agreeing that Russia was guilty of invading Ukraine. But the exchange took a personal turn when a protester reminded him, “You’ve also condemned Trump.” Vance, who has criticized the former president in the past, responded, “Ma’am, I am speaking with you, and I am trying to be respectful. I have condemned the invasion.”
The tense interaction, which was captured on video by local news outlet WCPO, showcases a mix of confrontation and attempts at dialogue, with Vance standing firm on his position while defending his family from the aggressive protesters.
Later, JD Vance fired back at the pro-Ukrainian protesters who harassed him while he was out walking with his three-year-old daughter. The U.S. Vice President slammed the protesters as “s*** people” for targeting a toddler during a political demonstration.
“It was a mostly respectful conversation, but if you’re chasing a 3-year-old as part of a political protest, you’re a s*** person,” Vance stated.
However, some viewers weren’t particularly impressed with JD Vance’s remarks on X. The top comment under CNN’s video read: “They aren’t doing anything to his child. They’re addressing him. Don’t use your child as a shield.”
Moved to a hotel for safety
This isn’t the first time Vice President JD Vance has been confronted by protesters. During a family ski trip to Vermont, Vance and his loved ones were confronted by thousands of demonstrators holding signs that criticized the U.S.’s lack of support for Ukraine, as well as other issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and climate change.
That prompted the Secret Service to move them to a hotel for safety.
Vance later explained that his family hardly noticed the protestors, and their relocation to an undisclosed location was simply a precautionary measure taken by the Secret Service as part of their standard protocol.
The Vice President also addressed the protesters on X, referring to them as “idiots” in a recent post.
“We barely noticed the protesters, and almost everyone we met was kind and generous. And Vermont is beautiful,” he added.
Is it acceptable to confront public figures in front of their families, or should children be off-limits in political demonstrations? The conversation continues to divide opinions. What do you think?
