Vice President J.D. Vance and his family were relocated to an undisclosed location after security concerns arose from a protest staged by pro-Ukraine demonstrators outside Vermont’s Sugarbush Resort, where the family had planned a weekend ski trip. The protest followed a contentious Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Tensions flared when Zelensky refused to finalize an economic deal and pressed for increased military aid, prompting Trump to halt negotiations and bar Zelensky from future White House visits. Protesters, primarily older liberal women, accused Vance of betrayal and carried signs with slogans like “Support Ukraine” and “Go ski in Russia.” Counter-protesters also gathered, displaying MAGA flags and engaging in heated verbal clashes with demonstrators. The scene grew more chaotic as some activists camped out near ski lifts, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Vice President’s family.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott called for civility, urging residents to respect Vance’s family vacation despite political disagreements. Meanwhile, organizers like Ginny Sassaman and Katayoun Lam voiced broader concerns ranging from Social Security cuts to immigration and LGBTQ+ rights. Sassaman, representing the Indivisible Calais group, emphasized anxieties about federal funding reductions, while Lam cited fears within the trans and immigrant communities about new Trump administration policies. During the Oval Office dispute, Vance directly challenged Zelensky, criticizing his failure to acknowledge U.S. aid and condemning Ukraine’s conscription policies. “You should be thanking the president,” Vance said, defending the administration’s position to scale back U.S. involvement and seek an end to the war. The episode highlights the growing divide over America’s foreign aid priorities and the heightened scrutiny facing public officials—even in personal moments away from Washington.
