Protests Erupt in Vermont as Vice President JD Vance Vacations After Heated Ukraine Clash.
Crowds gathered near a Vermont ski resort on Saturday to protest Vice President JD Vance, just one day after a fiery Oval Office exchange with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over U.S. support for Ukraine.
Demonstrators Rally Against Vance’s Ukraine Stance
Hundreds of protesters lined Route 100 in Waitsfield, Vermont, holding signs in support of Ukraine. Others, focused on broader political issues, waved Palestinian flags or held placards supporting immigrant rights. Some protesters sarcastically suggested Vance should vacation in Russia instead.
“Ski Russia because JD Vance has no friends in Vermont, but he’s got lots of friends in Russia,” said protester Tekla Van Hoven of Waterbury, speaking to WCAX-TV.
Though the demonstrations were planned in advance, they gained momentum after Vance reportedly berated Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Friday for disputing Trump’s claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted.
Small Protests at Sugarbush Resort
Vance and his family arrived in Vermont ahead of the weekend for a ski trip at Sugarbush Resort in Warren. A few protesters gathered outside the resort, but their presence remained peaceful and non-disruptive.
“There were a handful of protesters at the resort throughout the day, but all were peaceful and none were disruptive,” said Sugarbush Resort spokesperson John Bleh.
Meanwhile, a smaller group of counter-protesters rallied in support of Vance and Trump, holding a “welcome rally.”
Vermont’s Governor Calls for Respect
Ahead of the protests, Republican Governor Phil Scott released a statement urging Vermonters to respect Vance’s family visit, despite political disagreements.
“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 said.
Growing Tensions Over U.S.-Ukraine Policy
The protests highlight increasing divisions in U.S. foreign policy debates. The controversy follows recent criticism of Zelenskyy by Elon Musk, who called him a “fraud machine” for his handling of U.S. military aid. Read more about Musk’s comments on Zelenskyy here.
With tensions over Ukraine continuing to escalate in Washington, protests like these could signal broader public frustration over the administration’s stance on international conflicts.
