After staying mostly out of the spotlight for a couple of weeks following his brief victory speech on election night, JD Vance made a big return this week. He’s been given one of the most important jobs as Donald Trump’s second-in-command: being the main point of contact for Trump’s policies on Capitol Hill.
The first-term Ohio senator has been assigned the task of making sure Trump’s plans get through Congress. That includes rallying support for some of Trump’s most controversial Cabinet picks—two of which have faced sexual misconduct accusations they deny.
Vance kicked things off on Wednesday by bringing Matt Gaetz, Trump’s choice for attorney general, to meet with key senators who will help decide whether he gets confirmed. On Thursday, he did the same for Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense.
This marks a big test for Vance, who’s only been in the Senate for a little over a year. How well he can help get Trump’s picks confirmed, especially the more unconventional ones, will show how effective he is at navigating Washington and using his influence.
Even though Vance hasn’t been in D.C. long enough to build strong relationships, some of his GOP colleagues are optimistic about his role. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer mentioned that while Vance doesn’t have long-standing ties with others in Congress, they appreciate his straightforward approach and that he’s done what they’ve done.
In a public message to his fellow Republicans, Vance reminded them that Trump’s victory helped flip the Senate from 49-51 to 53-47, meaning Trump deserves a Cabinet that supports his plans.
Vance also responded to some criticism online about his absence from a Senate vote on one of President Biden’s judicial nominations. He argued that his vote wasn’t needed, since Democrats still control the Senate, and explained he was busy meeting with Trump and potential candidates for the FBI.
Vance’s involvement in the transition team has been pretty hands-on, especially when it comes to Trump’s top picks, like Tom Homan as the border czar and Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence. Vance has spent much of his time since the election at Mar-a-Lago with Trump’s inner circle, including Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr.
Even though he’s been quieter on TV lately, Vance is expected to become a familiar face again as Inauguration Day nears, defending Trump and his agenda.
Vance has made it clear that his job as vice president will be to take on whatever issues Trump wants him to handle, though immigration, tech, and the economy are areas he’s particularly passionate about.
While the details of his role are still being worked out, one thing is clear: Vance will be a key figure in pushing Trump’s agenda through Congress. He’s working closely with Trump’s team, including his deputy chief of staff, who will be in charge of coordinating with Capitol Hill.
Together, Vance and his team are focused on making sure Trump delivers on his promises, and Vance will play a crucial part in making that happen.
