Former Republican strategist Stuart Stevens slammed Vice President JD Vance on Sunday, claiming Vance believes he must take extreme and controversial positions in order to advance within today’s Republican Party.
Appearing on Alex Witt Reports on MSNBC, Stevens — who served as chief strategist for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign — was asked whether he expected more violence following the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota last week. Stevens said he did, adding that authorities should determine whether a grand jury will pursue murder charges in the case.
Stevens then took aim at Vance for publicly defending the ICE officer involved in the shooting, arguing that immigration agents do not have blanket immunity from prosecution.
“This is not unique,” Stevens said. “ICE agents do not have immunity as JD Vance tries to pretend.” He described what he called a broader “sickness at the core of the Republican Party,” accusing Vance of embracing ever more provocative defenses to gain political advantage.
Stevens claimed Vance’s posture is driven by internal GOP competition — particularly a looming 2028 presidential contest against Marco Rubio. According to Stevens, Vance believes the path to advancement in the party now lies in being “the most transgressive,” even if it means courting outrage. Stevens did not cite a specific instance to support his reference to “defending Nazis,” and it was unclear precisely what conduct he was referencing.
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If you need help with the instances he was referring to I can help you out.
1) Vance downplayed and minimized the pro Hitler texts and messages in the NY Young GOP group. He stuck up for the antisemites in the group while other Republicans condemned them
2) Vance validated the most reprehensible and vitriolic antisemitic comments of questioners at TPUSA. He let horrible antisemitic claims stand.
3) Vance has constantly refused to call out antisemitism on the right despite multiple opportunities to do so.
4) Vance continues to empower racists like Tucker Carlson and even brought him to a White House meeting/reception last week
5) On his one visit to Israel Vance took the opportunity to blast a vote taken by the Israeli Knesset.
Romney was a principled conservative today we have authoritarian populism. Vance is a coward who lacks a moral spine.