Buttigieg Critiques Trump and Vance During DNC Speech

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg kicked off his remarks at the Democratic National Convention with a light-hearted acknowledgement of his recent appearances on Fox News. “I’m Pete Buttigieg, and you might recognize me from Fox News,” he stated, setting an engaging tone for his address.

He proceeded to launch into pointed critiques of both former President Donald Trump and Republican Senator JD Vance. Buttigieg portrayed Vance as someone who believes that individuals who don’t conform to his vision of life are insignificant. “Choosing a guy like JD Vance to be America’s next vice president sends a message, and it’s not a positive one: it signifies a retreat into negativity and grievance,” Buttigieg argued.

He encapsulated this type of campaigning as one steeped in “darkness,” claiming that such an approach does not resonate with contemporary America. “I just don’t think America today is in the market for darkness,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for a more optimistic political narrative.

Buttigieg also called back to remarks made by Vance in 2021, where he suggested that childless individuals lack a commitment to the country’s future. In response, Buttigieg reflected on his own experiences. “When I deployed to Afghanistan, I didn’t have kids then; many of the men and women who served alongside me didn’t have kids either,” he noted with conviction. “But our commitment to the future of this country was quite physical.” His point highlighted the diverse forms of dedication to national service beyond parenthood.

The Secretary emphasized his belief in politics as a force for empowerment and upliftment, contrasting this vision with what he described as the Republican tendency to vilify those who hold opposing views. He posited, “I believe in a better politics, one that reveals our deeper decency and encourages us to be open and brave.” His vision for politics seeks to unify rather than divide.

Bringing personal narrative into the discourse, Buttigieg shared insights from his life at home with his husband Chasten and their two children in Michigan. This anecdote served to reinforce the message of progress and inclusivity. “This November we get to choose. We get to choose our president; we get to choose our policies; but most importantly, we will choose a better politics,” he said. He urged the audience to uphold a political vision that champions their best selves.

Buttigieg concluded his address by framing the upcoming elections as a crucial turning point for the nation. He highlighted that the choice at stake represents not just political rivalry but a moral imperative. “That is what Kamala Harris and Tim Walz embody. That is what Democrats stand for. It is in our hands to end Trump’s politics of darkness once and for all,” he asserted, positing a vision for a brighter future through collective electoral action.