The situation surrounding Vice President J.D. Vance’s family took a concerning turn over the weekend after pro-Ukraine protesters gathered outside Sugarbush Resort in Vermont, where Vance and his family were vacationing. The protests, which were reportedly organized by Democratic groups in response to Vance’s stance on Ukraine, escalated following a tense Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump, Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting between the U.S. officials and Zelensky was supposed to focus on finalizing a deal, but it quickly turned chaotic when Zelensky refused to sign an economic agreement and pushed for more U.S. military aid. After a heated exchange with Vance, Zelensky warned that the U.S. would face national security threats if it did not continue its support for the war in Ukraine. This remark prompted President Trump to end the discussions and announce that Zelensky would not be invited back to the White House anytime soon.
In the aftermath of this confrontation, protests erupted outside the Vance family’s planned ski trip. The majority of the protesters, predominantly older liberal women, accused Vance of being a “traitor” and urged him to “go ski in Russia.” Some signs read, “Have you no shame? Support Ukraine.” Counter-protesters, mostly Trump supporters, lined the opposite side of the road, with pickup trucks flying “Make America Great Again” flags. Tensions between the two groups led to shouting matches and even protestors camping near a ski lift, hoping to spot the Vice President and his family. Amid the escalating protests, Vance’s family was moved to an undisclosed location for their safety. Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott called for respectful behavior, urging protesters to remember that Vance was on a family trip with his young children. He emphasized the importance of welcoming the Vances to Vermont and respecting the state’s values, even if there were disagreements over political issues. The protests, which had been planned earlier in the week, grew more intense due to the fallout from the Oval Office confrontation. As tensions over Ukraine continue to divide American political factions, the incident highlights the deeply polarized nature of the ongoing debate surrounding U.S. foreign policy and the response to the war in Ukraine.
