Today : Jan 31, 2025
Politics
31 January 2025

JD Vance Enjoys Unrestricted Hiring Power As Vice President

Trust between Trump and Vance fosters seamless collaboration and ambitious policy goals.

Vice President JD Vance has been granted significant autonomy inside the White House, allowing him to handpick his senior staff without interference from President Donald Trump or his aides. This arrangement, described by several insiders, demonstrates the trust Trump has in Vance, his 40-year-old deputy, particularly as speculation grows about Vance potentially seeking the presidency himself in 2028.

Of the first eleven senior staff members Vance appointed, nine had previously worked on his successful 2022 Senate campaign or within his Senate office. Jai Chabria, Vance’s longtime political adviser, emphasized the loyalty of the team by saying, "The Trump team is an A-team...They decided to build a team with JD's team and, in the process, they got a loyal bunch that's ready to go through the wall for the president."

Among those appointed is Jacob Reses, Vance's chief of staff from his Senate days, who now holds the same position within the vice president's office. He is supported by Bryan Gray, who took on the role of deputy chief of staff. Vance has also brought along his communications team, including William Martin, Luke Schroeder, and Taylor Van Kirk, which he views as integral to maintaining consistent messaging and strategy.

Additional staff members include national security adviser Andy Baker, domestic policy director Ben Moss, operations director Abby Delahoyde, and Patrick McAllister, his long-time personal aide. Notably, Vance has appointed Sean Cooksey, the former chair of the Federal Election Commission, as his counsel, and Shannon Fisher from the Republican National Committee as chief of staff for second lady Usha Vance.

Interestingly, Vance also welcomed Buckley Carlson as his deputy press secretary; he is the son of former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has been vocal about supporting Vance's political ambitions. This arrangement showcases Vance's connections to prominent figures within the Republican Party.

Despite the tight-knit nature of Vance’s team, three key political strategists—Chabria, Andy Surabian, and Luke Thompson—do not officially work for Vance's office yet continue to serve as external advisers, underscoring their importance as Vance navigates his vice presidency and potential future campaigns. Surabian, who is closely associated with Trump Jr., was instrumental during Vance's vice presidential campaign.

The smooth collaboration between Vance's team and Trump’s administration contrasts sharply with the historical tensions observed between past vice presidents and their respective administrations. For example, when Trump was president, his relationship with former Vice President Mike Pence was often strained—primarily due to political disputes, culminating on January 6, 2021.

Vance's relationship with Trump has been characterized by mutual respect and collaboration since his Senate race, where he enjoyed Trump’s endorsement. Their joint efforts have continued, such as when they visited East Palestine, Ohio, following the fallout from a toxic train derailment. Vance's ability to select his own staff without interference is seen as evidence of the trust Trump places in him, differing greatly from the earlier experiences of Pence.

Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, praised Vance’s team, stating, "Vice President Vance has assembled a top-notch team...And that's why the Administration has already been so successful." Vance's own insight reveals the effectiveness of this harmonious dynamic; he noted, "It was unbelievable to me...because I don’t know if any other campaign would have afforded [that]."

Beyond personnel matters, Vance also expressed confidence about policy direction, particularly concerning immigration enforcement. He highlighted the ambitious goal set by the Trump administration to expedite the removal of criminal migrants at nearly 2,000 per day. "If you think [about it], we've got 20-plus million illegal aliens in this country. We have got to get these people out of our country and regain control of our own border," he told Fox News host Sean Hannity, providing insight on the administration's intentions.

Data shared by Fox News indicated a swift crackdown on illegal entry since the Trump administration re-initiated its policies, with encounters at the southern border dropping by more than 60%. Encouragingly, Vance stated, "I guarantee we're going to cut it even farther," reinforcing the administration's commitment to border control.

He also revealed some alarming statistics, admitting, "We just needed to send somebody to go to their house and get them the hell out of the country." He underscored the administration's new found resolve to act on known criminals residing illegally within the nation since Trump's return to the White House.

Vance's concentrated effort on immigration reflects his broader commitment to delivering on the Trump campaign's promises as the administration forges ahead. Addressing the challenges of personnel and policy, Vance appears poised to make strides amid the complex political dynamics currently at play. Should he choose to pursue presidential ambitions, his established network and experienced team could serve as invaluable assets moving forward.