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Critics have noted the irony after Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) revealed a particular question being posed to potential running mates for presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
During Monday’s broadcast of Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” co-host Steve Doocy mentioned he had heard that some vice-presidential candidates were “asked to submit documents to be vetted.” He then turned to Vance, rumored to be a contender for the position, and asked, “You’re not at that level yet. Or are you?”
Vance, who is rumored to be in the running for the job, responded that his team had been asked “for a number of things,” but emphasized that he believed “a number of people have been asked to submit this and that.”
“Like your taxes or something?” Doocy asked, chuckling, “Your criminal background?”
Vance replied, “I don’t know everything they’ve been asked. Yeah, but certainly like, ‘Have you ever committed a crime?’ ‘Have you ever lied about this?’ Certainly, you have those conversations, but I think a lot of people have those conversations.”
Former Biden White House press secretary-turned-MSNBC anchor Jen Psaki was among many who pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump “could not pass his own vetting materials for Vice President.” Trump was found guilty of all 34 charges in his hush money trial and is set to be sentenced on July 11.
Others humorously speculated whether having a running mate with a criminal record might be seen as a positive or a negative for Trump’s campaign.
The vetting process for a vice-presidential candidate typically involves a thorough examination of personal and professional backgrounds. This includes financial records, past employment, public statements, and any criminal history. The aim is to avoid any surprises that could harm the campaign.
The irony, as pointed out by critics, lies in Trump’s own legal troubles. His recent conviction on charges related to hush money payments underscores the unusual nature of his candidacy. Critics suggest that the scrutiny Trump applies to his potential running mates starkly contrasts with his legal and ethical issues.
The discussion about vetting processes and criminal records in the context of Trump’s campaign has raised eyebrows and sparked debate. The juxtaposition of Trump’s expectations for his running mate against his own legal challenges provides a striking commentary on the state of the current political landscape.
As the campaign progresses, it remains to be seen how these vetting requirements will impact the selection of Trump’s vice-presidential candidate and what implications this will have for his overall campaign strategy.
