On Saturday, Waitsfield, Vermont became the epicenter of vibrant protests against Vice President JD Vance, just one day after a contentious conversation in the Oval Office regarding Ukraine. Crowds gathered near a popular Vermont ski resort, anticipating Vance's family vacation, which has stirred significant public reaction. The protests featured hundreds of demonstrators holding signs that voiced their support for Ukraine, while others raised banners in solidarity with Palestinian rights and immigrant issues.
The protests unfolded along both sides of Route 100 in Waitsfield, creating a visible display of dissent against Vance. Although the demonstrations were organized days prior, the fervor intensified following a heated exchange in the Oval Office involving Vance, President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During this exchange, Vance criticized Zelenskyy for disputing Trump's comments about the trustworthiness of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
One protester, Tekla Van Hoven from Waterbury, expressed her sentiments to WCAX-TV, stating, “Ski Russia because JD Vance has no friends in Vermont, but he’s got lots of friends in Russia, so he should go there for vacation.” This sentiment echoed the feelings of many demonstrators who felt strongly about Vance's recent comments and actions regarding Ukraine.
Despite the protests, Vance and his family arrived in Vermont with plans to enjoy skiing at Sugarbush Resort in Warren. On Saturday, a small group of protesters gathered at the resort, but resort spokesman John Bleh confirmed that the protests remained peaceful and non-disruptive. In an email, Bleh stated, “There were a handful of protesters at the resort throughout the day, but all were peaceful and none were disruptive.” He declined to make further comments and directed inquiries to the White House.
As of Sunday, the White House had not responded to messages seeking comments regarding the protests. Meanwhile, Republican Governor Phil Scott issued a welcoming statement on Thursday, encouraging Vermont residents to embrace Vance and his family despite political differences. “I hope Vermonters remember the vice president is here on a family trip with his young children and, while we may not always agree, we should be respectful,” Scott urged in his statement.
In contrast to the protests, a smaller group of supporters also held a "welcome rally" for Vance and President Trump. This juxtaposition of opinions highlights the divided sentiments among Vermont residents regarding current political issues, particularly those surrounding foreign policy and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
As the weekend progresses, the atmosphere in Waitsfield remains charged with political energy, reflecting the deep divisions in public opinion surrounding Vice President JD Vance's policies and actions.
