Vice President JD Vance recently appeared on Maria Bartiromo’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” where he criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on the military. Vance’s comments follow President Trump’s announcement that he would bypass Congress to ensure American troops receive their paychecks amid the budget impasse.
On the show, Vance explained how the administration plans to fund military pay despite the standoff in Congress. He highlighted the increasing tariff revenues generated by Trump’s trade policies as a significant source of funds. “A lot of this will come from incoming revenues to the Internal Revenue Service, tariff revenue, but also income tax revenue that is going to make it possible for us to pay our troops,” Vance said. This approach underscores the administration’s reliance on tariffs, which Vance believes not only provide necessary financial support during the shutdown but also bolster the American industrial sector.
Vance noted, “This is another reason why President Trump’s decisive action on tariffs is one of the reasons why we have the money in the Treasury to actually be able to pay our troops.” His emphasis on tariffs illustrates their dual purpose: funding military salaries and aiding in the revitalization of America’s manufacturing capabilities. Vance added, “The tariffs have also given us a little bit of financial flexibility so that we can keep on as many essential services as possible, including, most importantly, paying the troops.”
During the same segment, Vance did not hold back in his criticism of Schumer and the Democratic Party, stating that their inability to reach an agreement led to the necessity of these strategic maneuvers. He asserted, “Schumer and the Democrats shut down the government because they were trying to force us to give health care benefits to illegal aliens.” This remark reflects a broader narrative within the Republican Party, where government shutdowns are seen not just as political failures but as manipulative tactics by Democrats that endanger vital services.
President Trump’s direct messaging on the issue further amplifies the stance taken by Vance. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Schumer’s leadership during the crisis. He stated, “Chuck Schumer recently said, ‘Every day gets better’ during their Radical Left Shutdown. I DISAGREE!” Trump made it clear that he sees the military’s pay as non-negotiable, asserting, “I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE.”
Overall, this exchange on Bartiromo’s show highlights the current political tensions surrounding the shutdown and reinforces the administration’s commitment to the military. Vance’s position is clear: the implementation of tariffs gives the government a necessary lifeline, allowing it to fulfill its obligations to those who serve the country, despite the political stalemate. This instance illustrates a broader theme in the conservative narrative: a call for strong leadership that prioritizes the needs of the military over political bargaining or maneuvering by opposition parties.
"*" indicates required fields
