Vice President JD Vance and his family were compelled to move to an undisclosed location after a large group of pro-Ukraine demonstrators descended on the Vermont ski resort where they had planned a vacation.
The protests erupted just days after a tense exchange between Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a White House meeting. The Vice President and his family had intended to spend four days at Sugarbush Resort in Waitsfield, Vermont, but their plans were disrupted as protesters gathered in significant numbers. Demonstrators lined Route 100 leading to the resort, brandishing signs that accused Vance of being a “national disgrace” and a “traitor,” with some urging, “Go ski in Russia.”
Pro-Ukraine protesters line the streets of Vermont ski resort ahead of Vance family vacation https://t.co/eNiBiYuQQW pic.twitter.com/FFNPrsd9UH
— New York Post (@nypost) March 2, 2025
The demonstration, which stretched for nearly half a mile, was largely fueled by Vance’s recent confrontation with Zelensky. Protesters held signs condemning Vance’s stance on Ukraine, some reading, “Have you no shame? Support Ukraine” and others featuring harsher messages like “Nazi scum.” Alongside the pro-Ukraine demonstrators, a smaller group of counter-protesters waving “Make America Great Again” flags also showed up. Heated verbal clashes broke out between the two groups, further heightening tensions around the resort. As the situation escalated, Vance and his family opted to abandon their stay at a nearby four-star inn and relocated to a secure location.
The intensity of the demonstration was so high that some protesters even camped out near ski lifts in an attempt to track down the Vice President and his family. Though protests had been planned earlier in the week, the White House confrontation between Vance, Zelensky, and President Donald Trump significantly amplified the demonstrators’ anger.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott (D) had urged residents to be mindful of Vance’s family vacation, calling for civility. “I hope Vermonters remember that the Vice President is here with his young children,” Scott said in a statement, encouraging respect despite political disagreements. Initially, local activists had planned protests against the Trump administration’s policies, particularly in response to proposed federal budget cuts to social programs. However, as tensions flared over Ukraine, the protests shifted their focus to Vance’s foreign policy positions, as reported by the New York Post.
Organizers from various activist groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, also took the opportunity to highlight concerns regarding the Trump administration’s policies on trans rights and immigration. Katayoun Lam, one of the protest organizers, voiced fears over the administration’s stance on marginalized communities.
Earlier in the week, tensions at the White House had boiled over when Vance directly confronted Zelensky, criticizing the Ukrainian leader for what he perceived as an ungrateful attitude toward U.S. support. Vance specifically raised concerns about Ukraine’s handling of military conscripts, remarking, “You should be thanking the president for working to end this conflict.”
As demonstrations persisted throughout the weekend, the Vance family ultimately had to cut their trip short. Amid growing tensions, the Vice President’s office refrained from disclosing further details regarding their whereabouts for security reasons. Although the protests disrupted the family’s vacation, they also intensified public scrutiny of Vance’s position on Ukraine and his role in the ongoing political dispute involving President Zelensky.
