Vance Supports Trump’s Fed Idea, Responds to Criticism on Family Remarks

In a series of recent Sunday news show appearances, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance leveraged the opportunity to criticize the Democratic ticket while highlighting Donald Trump’s achievements and his agenda for a potential second term. Vance, serving as the junior senator from Ohio, took to the airwaves to defend himself against past remarks that have resurfaced as campaign fodder.

During taped interviews, he endorsed Trump’s stance that presidents should have more influence over U.S. monetary policy. He also reiterated claims that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, exaggerated his military service record.

Vance shadowed Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz as they campaigned in critical swing states last week, leading to questions about abortion and his own views on American family values.

Vance agreed with Trump’s assertion that the political leadership should have a say over the decisions made by the Federal Reserve, particularly regarding monetary policy. He insisted that Trump’s notion was both significant and necessary. “What President Trump is articulating is important,” Vance stated. “The political leadership of this country should have more say over its monetary policy.” He underlined the necessity for elected officials to have input on pivotal national decisions.

However, not everyone supports such a shift in policy. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan raised concerns, stating that central banks operate more effectively when they maintain independence from political influence. “Countries with independent central banks generally perform better economically than those that do not,” he noted.

Turning to the issue of Walz’s military record, Vance criticized the governor for suggesting he carried weapons “in war” despite serving 24 years in the Army National Guard without deployment to combat zones. This statement, made in a 2018 video, drew backlash as the Harris campaign clarified it was a mistake. Vance described this as “scandalous behavior.”

When confronted with the discrepancies regarding Trump’s own military service—specifically his controversial deferment during the Vietnam War due to bone spurs—Vance acknowledged the complexities of individual circumstances, but maintained a firm stance against embellishing military records. He remarked, “I criticize somebody for embellishing their record, for lying, saying, ‘I went to war.’”

In discussions about reproductive rights, Vance was evasive when questioned about an upcoming referendum in Florida that aims to repeal the state’s restrictive abortion laws. He indicated that Trump supports a state-by-state approach regarding these decisions. When pressed on Trump’s position concerning federal limits on the abortion drug mifepristone, Vance struggled to clarify, attributing potential confusion to the impact of the setting on Trump’s answers.

As for Walz’s response, he claimed that Trump and Vance intend to undermine access to medication abortion. He vowed that he and Harris would protect individuals’ rights to make their own healthcare decisions, emphasizing, “Mind your own damn business.”

Vance also faced scrutiny concerning past comments he made about family life in America. During a Fox News interview in 2021, he criticized the Democratic Party, describing its members as “childless cat ladies” who are unhappy in their own lives. This remark resurfaced during discussions, particularly in the context of his interactions with Harris and Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is a married father of twins.

While Vance attempted to clarify that his remark had been sarcastic, he suggested it was an opportunity to reignite discussion about “pro-family” policies. He mentioned exploring concepts where individuals with children might receive additional voting power, characterizing it as a thought experiment rather than a firm proposal.

Buttigieg countered Vance’s assertions, lamenting his apparent failure to present a vision that uplifts the populace rather than denigrating those with opposing viewpoints. He criticized Vance for framing discussions around family that do not center on constructive outcomes.

The discussions unfolded on prominent networks, with Vance appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” ABC’s “This Week,” and CBS’ “Face the Nation,” while Buttigieg and Moynihan participated in similar discussions on CNN and CBS, respectively.

Source: AP News