JD Vance, the Senator from Ohio, has been vocal about his views on power and the use of state levers to execute his ideas, even if it means pushing the boundaries of the constitutional system. He has expressed a willingness to break norms and test constitutional limits in order to achieve his goals, stating, “We have to get pretty wild, pretty far out there.”
In a podcast interview in September 2021, Vance made two predictions about former President Donald J. Trump’s potential run in 2024. He believed that Trump would run again and win, advising that if Trump were to secure victory, he should surround himself with the right people. Vance suggested that Trump should “fire every single midlevel bureaucrat, every civil servant in the administrative state, replace them with our people.” He also referenced a quote attributed to Andrew Jackson, advising Trump to confront any legal challenges by saying, “The chief justice has made his ruling. Now let him enforce it.”
Despite his shifting stance from being an anti-Trump author to a MAGA-approved senator, Vance is perceived as ideologically flexible by some and lacking in core values by others. However, his consistent belief in utilizing all available tools of the state to achieve political goals remains unchanged.
Vance’s approach raises questions about the extent to which political leaders should push the limits of the constitutional system in pursuit of their agendas. While some supporters view his willingness to challenge norms as a sign of strength and determination, critics argue that such actions could undermine the democratic principles on which the country is built.
As Vance continues to navigate his political journey, his perspective on power and governance will undoubtedly shape the discourse within the Republican Party and beyond. It remains to be seen how his views will influence the party’s approach to governance and the broader political landscape in the coming years.