Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance recently defended his remarks directed at Vice President Kamala Harris, stating that telling her to 'go to hell' was simply a 'colloquial phrase.' Vance made these comments during a pull-aside interview with the Washington Post, where he urged the public to focus on their own responsibilities rather than engaging in what he referred to as 'fake outrage.'
Vance's comments were in response to Harris' handling of the aftermath of the tragic incident where 13 US service members lost their lives outside Kabul's airport during the tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. He criticized Harris for what he perceived as a lack of accountability and called for a more robust investigation into the matter.
During a campaign event in Erie, Pennsylvania, Vance reiterated his stance, stating that Harris 'can go to hell' while defending former President Donald Trump's actions following a reported altercation with campaign staff and an official at Arlington National Cemetery. Harris' campaign communications director characterized the incident as 'pretty sad' and attributed it to Trump's behavior.
Vance expressed his belief that there was no need for an apology from the Trump campaign regarding the altercation at the cemetery. He emphasized the importance of understanding the full context of the situation before passing judgment, particularly regarding the invitation extended to the former president.
In response to the media and Democratic scrutiny surrounding the incident, Vance maintained that there was no scandal to be found. He acknowledged the need to gather more information about the altercation between a photographer and an individual at Arlington National Cemetery before offering further commentary. Despite the controversy, Vance stood by his defense of Trump's actions and his criticism of Harris' handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
