Donald Trump Selects J.D. Vance for VP
Former President Donald Trump has chosen Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate. In a historic week that saw the former President survive an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, Vance joins a presidential campaign Americans perceive with the highest possible stakes.
Vance represents a solid pick to safeguard the president’s “MAGA” agenda, which has prioritized trade and immigration and reducing foreign intervention.
A VP pick to safeguard that agenda takes on heightened significance in light of Saturday’s attempt on Trump’s life that injured the former President when a bullet grazed his head and killed a bystander.
Some commentators called on the President months ago to choose a running mate that would safeguard his agenda in event of attempts on his life. Now, that’s how Vance’s selection has been received.
Georgetown Law Professor Randy Barnett said the pick made Trump "assassination proof."
He’s now assassination proof. https://t.co/BwF4DhJU8I
— Randy Barnett (@RandyEBarnett) July 15, 2024
Vance is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Iraq before attending Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He ran for Senate in 2022, growing into a strong Trump ally in his tenure.
If Trump and Vince win the nation’s two highest offices this November, Gov. Mike DeWine will appoint a temporary Senator to serve until a special election to fill the seat in 2026. Otherwise, Vance is up for reelection in 2028.
