JD Vance's UK Vacation Sparks Local Fury
Vice President JD Vance getting sworn in, 2025. Photo by the Office of Vice President of the United States. Public domain.
JD Vance's idyllic escape to the English countryside has turned into a spectacle that locals describe as a disruptive event. The usually tranquil village of Dean in Oxfordshire, nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds, has been transformed into a heavily fortified zone. A 20-vehicle motorcade, armed British police, sniffer dogs, Secret Service agents, road closures, and even a makeshift helipad have reportedly shattered the rural calm, leaving residents seething and posting signs expressing their displeasure. This disruption echoes controversies from Vance's previous vacations in Vermont and Ohio, raising questions about the balance between security and public disruption.
From Quiet Hamlet to Fortress
Dean, a tiny village near the market town of Chipping Norton, is part of the Cotswolds, an area known for its appeal to the wealthy elite. Celebrities like Hugh Grant and David Beckham, as well as King Charles, are known to frequent the region. Typically, locals pride themselves on welcoming visitors, but the arrival of U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family has tested that hospitality.
Vance, his wife Usha, and their three children arrived at an 18th-century manor house, but their presence has come with a heavy security footprint. The motorcade thundered into the village, accompanied by British police and plainclothes U.S. Secret Service officials. Roads were closed, and residents reportedly faced ID checks just to access their own community. One local woman in her seventies expressed frustration at being stopped during a Sunday stroll, telling police they were "hardly terrorists" and lamenting the cost of guarding Vance, which she described to The Times as a waste of public funds, according to The Daily Beast.
Signs of Discontent
With road closures preventing a traditional protest, villagers resorted to placing placards around Dean with messages like "Vance you are not welcome," or "Go home," according to The Daily Beast. The disruption has not only inconvenienced residents but also visitors. For example, Hampton Court Palace was reportedly closed to the public on a Sunday morning so Vance's family could tour the historic site, leaving hundreds of ticket holders stranded in the August heat until the gates reopened well after noon.
The manor's owners, Johnny and Pippa Hornby, apologized to neighbors for the disruption surrounding the visit, saying they are "so sorry for the circus that is there for the next few days," according to PEOPLE. The Hornbys, who purchased the property in 2017, are part of the local community.
VPs Vacation Backlash, Continued
The optics of such a high-security operation in a peaceful English village have not gone unnoticed. The contrast between the pastoral setting and the heavy-handed security measures highlights the tension between political privilege and public inconvenience. Vance's visit, intended as a quiet family getaway, has instead become a spectacle of political privilege.
This is not the first time Vance's vacations have drawn criticism. Earlier this year, his security detail reportedly requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to raise the water level of a river in Ohio to accommodate his family's boating trip, sparking outrage over the use of public resources for personal convenience, according to PEOPLE.
The Fraying Boundary Between Security and Disruption
The extensive security measures raise questions about where the line should be drawn between necessary protection and public disruption. While the safety of a vice president and their family is paramount, the impact on local communities can be profound. In Dean, the presence of armed police, road closures, and checkpoints has made daily life difficult for residents, some of whom feel their village has been turned into a fortress.
The situation also underscores the broader issue of politicizing public spaces. A leader associated with conservative policies faces resistance not only at home but also abroad. Nearly 4,000 miles from the United States, his presence has sparked protests and resentment, revealing the global reach of political divisions.
Local Voices and Lasting Impact
Residents have not held back in their criticism. A local resident criticized Vance's treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a recent Oval Office meeting saying, "What he did to President Zelensky was the most awful thing I've ever seen, and he's a bully, he's not welcome as far as I'm concerned," according to The Daily Beast. British TV host Jeremy Clarkson has also voiced disdain, describing Vance as a "bearded God-botherer" with little understanding of history.
Meanwhile, anti-Trump groups have reportedly planned protests in nearby villages, signaling that the unrest may continue beyond Dean.
A Tale of Political Privilege
JD Vance's visit to the Cotswolds serves as a cautionary tale about the costs of political privilege and the challenges of balancing security with community respect. The disruption of a quiet English village for a high-profile vacation spot spotlights the tension between elite-level intrusion and pastoral life. It also raises concerns about the increasing politicization of every corner of public life, where even the countryside is not immune to the fallout of partisan divides.
For the residents of Dean, the hope is that the disruption will soon end and their village will return to the peaceful haven it once was. For observers, the episode is a reminder that political figures, no matter how powerful, must navigate the delicate line between protection and public goodwill — especially when far from home.
References: Locals Rage at Vance Bringing Chaos With Him on Vacation | Owner of JD Vance's U.K. Vacation Rental Apologizes to Neighbors for 'Circus'
