JD Vance's Family Retreats Amid Demonstrations

Vice President JD Vance getting sworn in, 2025. Photo by Office of Vice President of the United States. Public domain.

What was supposed to be a peaceful family getaway to Vermont's slopes turned into a weekend of disruption for U.S. Vice President JD Vance. The second-in-command, alongside his wife and three children, found that not everyone in the Green Mountain State feels particularly hospitable to him.

A Prelude to Protest

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance clash with Ukrainian President Zelensky during meeting in Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.

Vance's visit to Vermont came immediately after a heated Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The diplomatic discussion between Zelensky, President Donald Trump, and Vance concerning the ongoing war with Russia made headlines for its contentious moments; Vance publicly criticized Zelensky, alleging that the Ukrainian leader disrespected the U.S. by "campaigning for the Democrats," as reported by the Irish Star, and failing to show gratitude for American support during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Almost immediately after the tense exchange, Vance and his family departed for a planned trip to the slopes of Vermont. Vermont's Republican Governor Phil Scott issued a statement prior to Vance's arrival: "I hope Vermonters remember the vice president is here on a family trip with his young children and, while we may not always agree, we should be respectful," Scott said, according to the Associated Press.

Summit Quad at Mt. Ellen, Sugarbush, 2010. Photo by Ams100272 under CC BY 3.0.

However, the high-profile geopolitical clash fueled frustration among many Vermonters.

Prominent But Peaceful

Protesters, waving Ukrainian flags and holding signs with slogans demonstrating support for the embattled nation, lined the streets near the resort town of Warren. What began as a scheduled demonstration grew with a robust turnout, with estimates of over 1,000 people filling the roads of Waitsfield, a small town near the resort.

"Ski Russia because JD Vance has no friends in Vermont, but he's got lots of friends in Russia, so he should go there for vacation," protester Tekla Van Hoven of Waterbury, Vermont, told WCAX.

While the clash with Zelensky appeared to draw more protestors out than initially expected, others waved signs with slogans related to healthcare and the environment. Some people waved Palestinian flags, calling attention to U.S. military aid abroad and its domestic implications.

At the Sugarbush Resort itself, skiers spotted Secret Service vehicles and personnel, but most operations continued as usual. A few demonstrators gathered near the entrance, but the crowds largely stayed concentrated in town, about a mile from the mountain. The protests remained peaceful.

Competing Voices on the Slopes

Not everyone was there to protest the vice president.

A smaller but vocal group of Trump and Vance supporters gathered nearby, holding flags and signs backing the administration. Local resident Gregory Thayer, who organized a "welcome rally," told reporters they wanted to show appreciation for Vance and the Trump administration's efforts. In a statement to the VTDigger, Thayer said, "We have farmers. We have business people, truck drivers and working people. This is working Vermonters."

The Family Moves for Safety

As the protests swelled, Fox News reported that the Vance family relocated to an undisclosed location for safety reasons.

Secret Service vehicles remained stationed at the resort, but the Vice President's plans shifted. Initially expected to stay at the nearby Pitcher Inn, those accommodations were canceled, and new arrangements were made away from the crowds.

A Getaway Cut Short

The protests have sparked debate online and in media circles. Some critics questioned whether public officials should expect privacy during family vacations, while others defended the demonstrators' rights to make their voices heard.

While the slopes of Sugarbush stayed busy with skiers and snowboarders enjoying the late-winter conditions, the Vance family's trip became a national news story. The combination of recent political clashes and Vermont's vocal protest community created a perfect storm that made it clear: even a ski vacation is no longer off-limits in today's heated political climate.

References: JD Vance and family flee to 'undisclosed location' due to angry mob after Zelensky fallout | Protesters line the streets as JD Vance vacations in Vermont | More than a thousand people protest Vice President JD Vance's visit to Vermont | Crowds protest near Vermont ski resort where JD Vance planned vacation with family | 'Fox & Friends' Upset Vermont Protestors Ruined Vance's Family Ski Trip