VP Vance touts border security, energy and humor at CPAC

Vice President J.D. Vance took to the Conservative Political Action Committee stage moments ago for a sit-down interview with Mercedes Schlapp.  

In his signature earnest-yet-easy style, Vance reiterated his boss’s main, shared goals one month into the new administration: secure the southern border and grow the economy by unleashing American energy.

While casting plenty of blame on the Biden administration throughout his talk, Vance touted the Trump administration’s early accomplishments; border crossings are already down 90 percent, he said, and “we’re just getting started.”

In response to a question about fixing the economy, Vance said the key is, “Drill, baby, drill.” Later on, when Schlapp noted some have criticized the Trump administration for not reversing inflation immediately, Vance brought up energy again, saying it affects the price of groceries and everything else, as farmers and truck drivers pass the high cost of fuel onto the consumers, and it will take time to undo the huge mess left behind by Biden and co.

Vance said another way the administration plans on making it “affordable to live in this country again” is to “stop spending tax dollars on garbage,” with the help of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DoGE).

“What are we doing with taxpayer money?” Vance asked, pointing to an example of waste a progressive art project centered around toilets in Afghanistan.

Tying together the interview’s two main themes of improving the economy and securing the border, Vance said we must safeguard programs like Medicaid and Social Security from being abused by illegal aliens, and that to “solve the fiscal crisis in America,” it is vital “American tax dollars go to American people.”

Turning the conversation abroad, Schlapp asked about the biggest threat to America’s allies in Europe. “Unvetted illegal migrants” was Vance’s answer. He added that a path to strong alliances with Europe must involve shared values, namely free speech, which enables us to defend democracy, secure our borders and ensure future sovereignty.

Vance said he really believes “we’re on the cusp of peace in Europe for the first time in three years,” because under Trump’s leadership, negotiations continue to progress. To the loved ones of hostages detained by Hamas who were in the CPAC audience, Vance assured them President Trump loves them and has not forgotten them and continues to work on their behalf.

Schlapp asked what Vance had to say to many in attendance at CPAC who are passionate about the pro-life movement. The vice president responded that Trump and the US Supreme Court “gave the abortion question back to the people.” To make abortions rarer, Vance said there must be a cultural shift away from viewing children not as “inconveniences,” but as “blessings to cherish.” He also said a driving force behind his personal views and goals is his Christian faith, which inspires him to want to enact policies that lead to a society full of virtuous young people.

In a message to young people, many of whom, he noted, voted for Donald Trump, Vance assured them the Trump administration is “trying to make your life better” so they are able to have good jobs, afford a house and raise their own families in “comfortable safety and prosperity.”

Vance encouraged young men in particular not to allow our “broken culture” that “wants to turn everybody into androgynous idiots” who look, talk and act the same to convince you “you’re a bad person because you’re a man.” Don’t be afraid, he said, to be competitive, have a beer with your friends or tell a joke.

“Don’t let them filter you,” Vance said, crediting his wife with the valuable advice.