Vice President JD Vance poured a few beers for American service members at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, speaking to troops briefly while his plane refueled during his return trip back to the United States.
The vice president has seen a busy week beginning with Easter Sunday at the Vatican, where he briefly met with the late Pope Francis just hours before the pontiff died of a stroke, followed by a trip to India with Second Lady Usha Vance and their three children.
Vance, according to the pool report, commented on the hectic nature of his schedule as he spoke to the crowd, saying in part, &#8220;I have no idea what the hell day it is, what time it is, but we’re glad to be here with you guys.”
&#8220;I guess as a small token of appreciation, I’m going to serve you guys some beers,&#8221; the vice president said after he&#8217;d finished speaking. He drank first, raising a traditional German painted stein and prepared to toast the gathered service members.
Initially joking that he should chug the beer, Vance quickly course-corrected, saying, &#8220;That would go viral, and not in a good way, my friends.&#8221;
Instead, he sipped from the stein and offered his toast: &#8220;To the airmen of this base, the airwomen of this base, and all of our troops serving overseas, God bless you guys. Cheers.&#8221;
Vance proceeded to pour beers from the &#8220;kegerator,&#8221; designed and built by Air Force Master Sgt. Anthony Davis, as the troops filed in, some exchanging greetings and asking the vice president to take photos with them.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Vice President <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JDVance</a> pouring up some beers for the troops during a refuel stop at Ramstein Air Base🍻 <a href="https://t.co/eU4VJYBqBZ">pic.twitter.com/eU4VJYBqBZ</a>
&mdash; William Martin (@wsmartin218) <a href="https://twitter.com/wsmartin218/status/1915385110536265776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
One airman asked how his flight had been, to which Vance replied, &#8220;It was 9 hours and 20 minutes with three little kids and as good as it could be &#8230; I’m not giving everybody a full pour here.&#8221;
&#8220;What’s up man?&#8221; Vance asked one airman. &#8220;Drinking on the job here, now that your tour’s over?&#8221;
&#8220;Are you old enough to drink this beer?&#8221; he asked another.
One female airman reportedly asked Vance to do &#8220;the Trump dance.&#8221;
Davis asked Vance to sign his &#8220;kegerator,&#8221; and he happily obliged. &#8220;This thing is awesome,&#8221; he said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Per pooler <a href="https://twitter.com/natalie_allison?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natalie_allison</a>: VP Vance served beer to 100+ Air Force, Army and Space Force today at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on his way back to the USA.
The airman who built this kegerator (Air Force Master Sgt. Anthony Davis) asked <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> to sign it.
Vance wrote: “To… <a href="https://t.co/qrcDHpR8nx">pic.twitter.com/qrcDHpR8nx</a>
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/1915463080999260209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2025</a></blockquote>

U.S. Vice President Vance Visits Italy And India

JD Vance Serves Beer To Service Members During Refueling Stop, Reminds Himself Not To ‘Chug’

JD Vance Serves Beer To Service Members During Refueling Stop, Reminds Himself Not To 'Chug'

Alcohol

JD Vance

Military

Politics

Trump Administration

Ben Shapiro traveled to war-torn Kyiv this week for an exclusive 60-minute face-to-face interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Speaking in front of the Saint Sophia Cathedral, Shapiro questioned Zelensky on several topics, including his tense March meeting with President Donald Trump, the substantial amount of American taxpayer money Ukraine is receiving, and prospects for peace with Russia.
The interview will be released in two parts on the Ben Shapiro Show on Thursday and Friday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I traveled to Ukraine to interview President Zelensky. Part 1 of our conversation drops tomorrow on The Ben Shapiro Show. <a href="https://t.co/3jvUIU9m5s">pic.twitter.com/3jvUIU9m5s</a>
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1915121386361626749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
Shapiro announced the interview on his show on Wednesday, stating that he took a 10-hour ride from Warsaw, Poland, to the Ukrainian capital to meet with Zelensky and “get the answers the American people deserve.”
In an interview teaser, Shapiro asks Zelensky if he thinks he could have handled the contentious February meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance better.
“The meeting in the Oval Office, it did not help Ukraine,” Zelensky said in his response.
Shapiro also asks Zelensky about the $200 billion his country has received from the United States and the concerns Americans have about where the money is ending up.
“There’s nothing to hide,” Zelensky claimed. “We are absolutely open.”
Shapiro’s interview comes as Trump pressures Russia and Ukraine to take his “final offer” peace plan.
On Wednesday, Trump took to <a href="https://x.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1915094960853971431" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Truth Social</a> to slam Zelensky for making “very harmful” comments to the Washington Post over not legally recognizing Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
“This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion,” Trump wrote.
Trump called the situation in Ukraine “dire” and said that Zelensky can “have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.”
Trump added that the parties are “very close” to a deal and urged them to “GET IT DONE.”

DW_UA-Z_Stills_023

Ben Shapiro Probes Zelensky In Ukraine As Clock Ticks On Peace Deal

Ben Shapiro

Donald Trump

Kyiv

Ukraine-Russia War

Volodymyr Zelensky

Critics of JD Vance falsely accused the vice president of committing a faux pas while visiting the Vatican, claiming that Vance&#8217;s team did not have permission to take photos in the Sistine Chapel.
But a source familiar with Vance&#8217;s travel team told The Daily Wire that the Vatican gave the vice president&#8217;s official photographer permission to take pictures in the Chapel, where visitors are typically forbidden to take photos of Michelangelo&#8217;s frescoes — including The Creation of Adam&#8221; — considered some of the most important pieces of Renaissance art.
<div id="attachment_911267" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/critics-falsely-accuse-vance-of-embarrassing-gaffe-in-the-sistine-chapel/v20250419eh-1461-1" rel="attachment wp-att-911267"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-911267" class="wp-image-911267 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-864x576.jpg" alt="Official White House photo by Emily Higgins. " width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/V20250419EH-1461-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>The Vance family tours the Pauline Chapel, or the &#8220;Cappella Paolina,&#8221; in Vatican City. (Official White House photo by Emily Higgins).</div>
Vigilant guards in the Sistine Chapel may take tourists&#8217; phones or cameras and delete photos if an unlucky photographer is caught snapping photos.
Critics of the vice president were quick to assume that his team did not have permission to take photos inside the Sistine Chapel.
&#8220;JD Vance Ripped for Embarrassing Gaffe During Vatican Visit,&#8221; The Daily Beast <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/jd-vance-ripped-for-embarrassing-gaffe-during-vatican-visit/">headlined</a> their story on the topic, calling the incident a &#8220;cardinal sin,&#8221; and adding the subhead: &#8220;A White House publicity stunt revealed the vice president’s glaring faux pas.&#8221;
Several tabloids chimed in on the topic as well. People Magazine <a href="https://people.com/jd-vance-sistine-chapel-picture-sparks-backlash-did-he-break-vatican-protocol-11719301">questioned</a>, &#8220;Photo of J.D. Vance Inside Sistine Chapel Sparks Backlash. Did He Break Vatican Protocol?&#8221; And the Daily Mail <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14635931/JD-Vance-fury-breaking-Vatican-protocol.html">posted</a>: &#8220;JD Vance sparks fury by breaking Vatican protocol.&#8221;
The offending photo depicts Vance gazing up at the renowned frescoes as he holds his young son.
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk <a href="https://x.com/charliekirk11/status/1914071098410586379">shared</a> the image on Easter Sunday, calling it &#8220;An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel.&#8221; The image quickly went viral, drawing the attention of those familiar with the Sistine Chapel&#8217;s rules for tourists.
<div id="attachment_911229" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/critics-falsely-accuse-vance-of-embarrassing-gaffe-in-the-sistine-chapel/unnamed-26" rel="attachment wp-att-911229"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-911229" class="wp-image-911229 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/unnamed-1-864x576.jpg" alt="Vice President Vance and his son tour the Sistine Chapel. Official White House photo by Emily Higgins. " width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/unnamed-1-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/unnamed-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/unnamed-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/unnamed-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Vice President Vance and his son tour the Sistine Chapel. Official White House photo by Emily Higgins.</div>
Kirk&#8217;s spokesman, Andrew Kolvet, <a href="https://x.com/AndrewKsway/status/1914794708343410843">noted</a> that former First Lady Michelle Obama&#8217;s visit to the Vatican was also photographed, hitting back at commenters on &#8220;X&#8221; who claimed that the photos were not allowed.
&#8220;Not only did the Vatican explicitly grant permission for the VP’s team to photograph their visit, the Vatican itself released video of their tour,&#8221; Kolvet wrote. &#8220;They did the same for other official state visits including Michelle Obama&#8217;s visit in 2009.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_911239" style="width: 394px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/critics-falsely-accuse-vance-of-embarrassing-gaffe-in-the-sistine-chapel/us-first-lady-michelle-obama-visits-the-sistine-chapel-at-the-vatican" rel="attachment wp-att-911239"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-911239" class="wp-image-911239 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-955371908-384x576.jpg" alt="" width="384" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-955371908-384x576.jpg 384w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-955371908-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-955371908.jpg 683w" sizes="(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" /></a>Michelle Obama in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. (Photo by MAURIX/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)</div>
Bill and Hillary Clinton also visited the Sistine Chapel and were photographed admiring the frescoes, as did former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
<div id="attachment_911265" style="width: 393px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/critics-falsely-accuse-vance-of-embarrassing-gaffe-in-the-sistine-chapel/president-and-hillary-clinton-in-the-sistine-chapel" rel="attachment wp-att-911265"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-911265" class="wp-image-911265 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-576837746-383x576.jpg" alt="" width="383" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-576837746-383x576.jpg 383w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-576837746-199x300.jpg 199w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-576837746.jpg 680w" sizes="(max-width: 383px) 100vw, 383px" /></a>President and Hillary Clinton in the Sistine Chapel (Photo by © Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)</div>
<div id="attachment_911273" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/critics-falsely-accuse-vance-of-embarrassing-gaffe-in-the-sistine-chapel/u-s-secretary-of-state-antony-blinken-visits-vatican" rel="attachment wp-att-911273"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-911273" class="wp-image-911273 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-1325911231-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-1325911231-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-1325911231-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-1325911231-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-1325911231.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>VATICAN CITY, VATICAN &#8211; JUNE 28: U.S. Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Visits the Sala Regia and the Sistine Chapel at the Apostolic Palace, on June 28, 2021 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Vatican Pool &#8211; Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)</div>
Vance&#8217;s visit to the Vatican came during his three-day Holy Week visit to Italy, during which he attended a Good Friday Service at St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica and Easter Sunday mass at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as well as Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The pope died the day after his meeting with the vice president.
&#8220;When I saw him, I didn&#8217;t know that he had less than 24 hours still on this earth,&#8221; Vance told reporters in Agra, India, on Wednesday morning. &#8220;I think it was a great blessing.&#8221;

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Critics Falsely Accuse Vance Of ‘Embarrassing Gaffe’ In The Sistine Chapel

Rome

The Vatican

Vice President JD Vance refused to politicize the death of Pope Francis as he spoke with reporters on Wednesday, arguing that the pope was a &#8220;great Christian pastor.&#8221;
The vice president said he was saddened by the pope&#8217;s death as he spoke with reporters in Agra, India, acknowledging that he was one of the last people to meet with the pontiff, but saying he had no idea that Pope Francis had less than 24 hours left on earth when the two met in Rome on Sunday.
In his last Easter address, Pope Francis <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/urbi/documents/20250420-urbi-et-orbi-pasqua.html">condemned</a> “how much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants&#8221; and warned against leaders who “yield to the logic of fear.&#8221; The late pontiff <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/deportation-schism-why-leftist-catholics-are-at-odds-with-churchs-long-standing-view-on-immigration">also pushed back against</a> President Donald Trump&#8217;s deportation plans ahead of the president&#8217;s inauguration.
&#8220;I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development,&#8221; the pope said in his final address. &#8220;These are the &#8216;weapons&#8217; of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!&#8221;
&#8220;A lot of people, especially in the American press want to make the Holy Father, his entire legacy, and even his death, about American politics,&#8221; Vance told reporters on Wednesday. &#8220;I think he was obviously a much broader figure than the United States of America, he represents over a billion Catholics worldwide.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_911205" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vance-refuses-to-politicize-pope-francis-death-not-going-to-soil-the-mans-legacy/u-s-vice-president-vance-visits-italy-and-india-4" rel="attachment wp-att-911205"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-911205" class="wp-image-911205 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2211102876-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2211102876-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2211102876-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2211102876-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2211102876.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Vice President JD Vance and Pope Francis. (Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)</div>
&#8220;Yes,&#8221; he added, &#8220;I&#8217;m aware that he had some disagreements with some of the policies of our administration. He also had a lot of agreements with the policies of our administration. I&#8217;m not going to soil the man&#8217;s legacy by talking about politics. I think he was a great Christian pastor, and that&#8217;s how I choose to remember the Holy Father.&#8221;
Asked if he would like to see the next pope continue in Pope Francis&#8217; tradition, he laughed and responded, &#8220;I won&#8217;t pretend to give guidance to the cardinals on who they should select as the next pope. We have plenty of issues to focus on in the United States. I&#8217;ll just say a prayer for wisdom, because I obviously want them to pick the right person. I want them to pick someone who will be good for the world&#8217;s Catholics, but I&#8217;ll let them make that decision.&#8221;
President Donald Trump announced on Monday in a Truth Social post that he will attend the funeral of Pope Francis,  &#8220;Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there!” The president will depart the United States for Rome on Friday afternoon.
His announcement came after he ordered federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Pope Francis.
“As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114376655236734018">wrote in a separate post</a>.
He added: “I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”

Vance Refuses To Politicize Pope Francis’ Death: ‘Not Going To Soil The Man’s Legacy’

Pope Francis

President Donald Trump ordered federal and state flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Pope Francis, who died Monday at the age of 88.
The executive order followed earlier condolences from both Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who briefly met with Francis on Easter Sunday at the Vatican.
&#8220;As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114376655236734018">wrote</a>. &#8220;I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.&#8221;
Shortly after he signed the order, Trump appeared at the White House Easter Egg Roll, where he addressed the death of Francis.
&#8220;I just signed an executive order putting the flags of our country — all of them, all federal flags and state flags — at half-mast in honor of Pope Francis. He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I just signed an executive order putting the flags of our country &#8212; all of them &#8212; at half-mast in honor of Pope Francis. He was a good man, worked hard. He loved the world.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/v8YWFDJMOZ">pic.twitter.com/v8YWFDJMOZ</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1914335869252559151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Trump and Vance have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jd-vance-pays-brief-visit-to-pope-francis-on-easter?author=Tim+Pearce&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=JD+Vance+Pays+Brief+Visit+To+Pope+Francis+On+Easter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cultivated</a> a close relationship with Catholics, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/eradicating-anti-christian-bias-trump-signs-executive-action-ending-targeting-of-christians" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promising</a> to crack down on &#8220;anti-Christian bias,&#8221; pointing to the increase in arson and vandalism surrounding Catholic churches as Roe v. Wade was overturned. During a February speech at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Vance said that Trump, who is not Catholic, “has been an incredibly good president for Catholics in the United States of America.”
<a href="https://youtu.be/uwdJ2UEtFtk?si=9nyTfXeCB0U0Cvpu">WATCH: MICHAEL KNOWLES EXPLAINS HOW THE NEXT POPE WILL BE SELECTED</a>
In recent months, Francis has attacked the Trump administration&#8217;s planned deportation of millions of illegal immigrants.
“I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations. The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality,” Francis <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2025/documents/20250210-lettera-vescovi-usa.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> in a February letter to Catholic Bishops in the United States.
Those comments received <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tom-homan-slams-the-pope-for-hypocrisy-about-border-security?author=Daily+Wire+News&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Tom+Homan+Slams+The+Pope+For+Hypocrisy+About+Border+Security" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pushback</a> from Catholics inside the Trump administration, including border czar Tom Homan, who said that Francis should focus on the church instead of commenting on border policy.

Pope Francis Attends Weekly General Audience

Trump Orders Flags Lowered To Half-Staff In Memory Of Pope Francis

Catholic Church

Executive

Illegal Immigation

Religion

Tom Homan

Reactions from around the world poured in after Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88.
Shortly after the news broke, the White House posted &#8220;Rest In Peace&#8221; alongside photos of Francis meeting with both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Vance met with Francis at the Vatican for about twenty minutes on Easter Sunday.
&#8220;Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!&#8221; President Donald Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114375838396081159" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on Truth Social.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. ✝️ <a href="https://t.co/8CGwKaNnTh">pic.twitter.com/8CGwKaNnTh</a>
&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1914246037125857689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul,&#8221; Vice President JD Vance <a href="https://x.com/JDVance/status/1914239114406191255" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on X, sharing a link to a message on prayer delivered by Pope Francis on March 27, 2020.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared a similar message.
&#8220;On Easter Monday, Jeanette and I are saddened to the news of Pope Francis&#8217; passing. We unite in prayer with Catholics worldwide for the repose of the pontiff&#8217;s soul and for this period of transition for the Catholic Church. May He rest in peace,&#8221; Rubio <a href="https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1914282184044577021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
Argentinian President Javier Milei also offered condolences. Francis was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was the first pope from Latin America.
&#8220;It is with profound sorrow that I learned this sad morning that Pope Francis, Jorge Bergoglio, passed away today and is now resting in peace. Despite differences that seem minor today, having been able to know him in his kindness and wisdom was a true honor for me. As President, as an Argentine, and, fundamentally, as a man of faith, I bid farewell to the Holy Father and stand with all of us who are today dealing with this sad news,&#8221; Milei posted, according to a translation.
<a href="https://youtu.be/uwdJ2UEtFtk?si=9nyTfXeCB0U0Cvpu">WATCH: MICHAEL KNOWLES EXPLAINS HOW THE NEXT POPE WILL BE SELECTED</a>
Other world leaders also reacted to the news.
&#8220;Pope Francis has returned to the house of the Father. This news saddens us deeply, because a great man and a great pastor have left us. I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and suffering,&#8221; Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni <a href="https://x.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1914239044885569647" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on X, according to translation. &#8220;We greet the Holy Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord.&#8221;
&#8220;We mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis — a shepherd who led with courage &amp; unwavering faith. Twice, we had the honour of welcoming him to Hungary,&#8221; Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban posted. 
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🕯️ We mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis <a href="https://twitter.com/Pontifex?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pontifex</a> &#8211; a shepherd who led with courage &amp; unwavering faith. Twice, we had the honour of welcoming him to Hungary. His prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Hungary, still resonates: “Instil into the hearts of… <a href="https://t.co/xZuqeZtHt1">pic.twitter.com/xZuqeZtHt1</a>
&mdash; Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) <a href="https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1914278773593112688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world,&#8221; India Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X. &#8220;I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.&#8221;
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Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the… <a href="https://t.co/QKod5yTXrB">pic.twitter.com/QKod5yTXrB</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1914239482129453417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
&#8220;Deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church,&#8221; British Prime Minister Meir Starmer posted on social media.
&nbsp;

Pope Francis Meets USA President Donald Trump

Trump, World Leaders Respond To Death Of Pope Francis

Giorgia Meloni

Javier Milei

World

Vice President JD Vance met briefly with Pope Francis in Vatican City on Easter Sunday as the supreme pontiff recovers from a severe bout of pneumonia.
Vance traveled to Rome ahead of Easter to meet with top Italian officials including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. Vance, who is Catholic, was able to meet with the pope as well as Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the top diplomat for the Holy See, during the trip.
The vice president met with Francis briefly; the Vance motorcade was on Vatican property for less than 20 minutes, according to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vance-us-migration-c9fc577cabff138de7bd8026133994fc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Associated Press</a>. During the meeting, the pope presented Vance with gifts, including a Vatican tie, rosaries, and three chocolate Easter eggs for his children.
The Vatican <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-meets-us-vice-president-jd-vance-at-santa-marta.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that a “cordial conversation took place” between Vance and Francis on “the common commitment to protect the right to religious freedom and freedom of conscience.” The two also discussed “the international situation, especially regarding countries affected by war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations, with particular attention focused on migrants, refugees and those in prison.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Just in: Pope Francis presents US Vice President JD Vance with a Vatican tie, blessed rosary beads, and three Easter eggs for his children. Vance tells the Pope &quot;It&#39;s good to see you in better health.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/EWTNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EWTNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/mFpXChiqmZ">pic.twitter.com/mFpXChiqmZ</a>
&mdash; Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) <a href="https://twitter.com/colmflynnire/status/1913904187349365127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The meeting underpins what the White House has said is the Trump administration’s strong support for Catholicism and Catholics. Vance said in a speech to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in February that President Donald Trump, while not a Catholic, “has been an incredibly good president for Catholics in the United States of America.”
Vance and the pope met after the Holy See and the Trump administration exchanged barbs over immigration policy earlier this year. In February, Francis wrote a letter to bishops in the United States expressing concern over U.S. deportation policies.
“I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations. The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality,” Francis <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2025/documents/20250210-lettera-vescovi-usa.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.
The letter came after Vance had floated the idea of “ordo amoris,” or “order of love” in Latin, to justify the Trump administration’s immigration policy.
“You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country, and then, after that, you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world,” Vance said in an interview with Fox News.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Just google “ordo amoris.” Aside from that, the idea that there isn’t a hierarchy of obligations violates basic common sense. Does Rory really think his moral duties to his own children are the same as his duties to a stranger who lives thousands of miles away? Does anyone? <a href="https://t.co/otvv5g1wFN">https://t.co/otvv5g1wFN</a>
&mdash; JD Vance (@JDVance) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/1885073046400012538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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JD Vance Pays Brief Visit To Pope Francis On Easter

Vatican

WASHINGTON—Vice President JD Vance will spend Holy Week in Vatican City before heading to India, the vice president’s office shared with The Daily Wire.
Vance will attend Good Friday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, his office shared with The Daily Wire. While in Rome, Vance is also slated to meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who visited the White House on Thursday.
“Vice President Vance looks forward to meeting with Prime Minister Meloni and Church officials while in Italy and is grateful for the opportunity to visit some of Rome’s amazing cultural and religious sites with his family during Holy Week,” the vice president’s press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, told The Daily Wire.
Pope Francis, who was recently released from the hospital following a prolonged health scare, <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/despite-improved-health-pope-picks-cardinals-lead-holy-week-liturgies">announced</a> that he will not preside over the Vatican&#8217;s Holy Week masses. The Pope tapped Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, to lead Good Friday mass in his stead.
Vance, a Catholic convert, caught flack from Pope Francis earlier this year for the Trump administration&#8217;s stance on immigration. Vance <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hours-before-zelensky-meeting-vance-praises-trump-for-pursuing-a-path-of-peace">acknowledged</a> that scuffle at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in February, calling himself a “Baby Catholic” and noting that “sometimes, the bishops get mad at me.”
“If you ever hear me pontificating about the Catholic faith, please recognize it comes from a place of deep belief, but it also comes from a place of not always knowing everything all the time,” he said at the time.
Vance&#8217;s visit comes a week of Easter festivities at the White House, including prayer services and dinners with religious leaders. Trump released a &#8220;Presidential Message on Holy Week&#8221; on Palm Sunday, in which he reaffirmed his administration&#8217;s &#8220;promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government.&#8221;
&#8220;We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square,&#8221; Trump wrote.
Last year, President Joe Biden and his administration came under fire when Biden <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-declares-easter-sunday-transgender-day-of-visibility">declared</a> Easter Sunday &#8220;Transgender Day of Visibility.&#8221;
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Italy also noted in a release that Vance and his family will be traveling between April 18 and April 24, stating that Vance will “discuss shared economic and geopolitical priorities with leaders in each country.”
While in India, Vance will visit New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and participate in “engagements at cultural sites.”

2024 Republican National Convention: Day 1

EXCLUSIVE: JD Vance And Family To Attend Good Friday Mass In Vatican City

The Trump administration is in the middle of a very hot fight with regard to a deported Salvadoran migrant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant, had a deportation order placed on him. Then there was a withholding order that suggested he could not be sent back to El Salvador because Abrego Garcia claimed he feared for his life, that he would be killed in El Salvador because he&#8217;s a Salvadoran migrant with possible gang ties.
The court said the executive branch of the United States government had good cause to believe that Abrego Garcia might be a member of MS-13, a gang that President Trump has declared a terrorist organization.
Therefore, due to the withholding order, Abrego Garcia was not supposed to be on that plane, being deported back to El Salvador.
On April 4, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland directed the government to “facilitate and effectuate the return [of Abrego Garcia] to the United States.”
The Trump administration immediately filed an application to vacate the order.
The Supreme Court then ruled that the district court had the power to say that the United States government ought to “facilitate” his return to the United States, but they didn&#8217;t define the term “facilitate.” The Supreme Court <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a949_lkhn.pdf">order stated</a>:
<blockquote>The application is granted in part and denied in part, subject to the direction of this order. Due to the administrative stay issued by THE CHIEF JUSTICE, the deadline imposed by the District Court has now passed. To that extent, the Government’s emergency application is effectively granted in part and the deadline in the challenged order is no longer effective. &#8230;
The order properly requires the Government to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. The intended scope of the term “effectuate” in the District Court’s order is, however, unclear, and may exceed the District Court’s authority. The District Court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. For its part, the Government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps.</blockquote>
If that sounds vague, that’s because it&#8217;s incredibly vague. The government, under the Supreme Court order, apparently has a duty to “facilitate” his release from custody. But how exactly it&#8217;s effectuated, how that doesn&#8217;t infringe on the executive branch&#8217;s ability to perform deportations, is unclear.
That left the door open for the administration to claim, “When you say we need to ‘facilitate,’ we asked the Salvadorans and they said, ’No.’ So, I guess that&#8217;s us ‘facilitating.’”
The opposite case would be to basically demand that the Salvadoran government return this person to the United States, where he might get deported again.
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/bss-ep-2180-member-exclusive?elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowHeadline=The+Ben+Shapiro+Show&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Carousel">WATCH: The Ben Shapiro Show</a></h3>
Things are getting very hot because the case has been remanded back to the district court for clarification. That very often happens. The higher court will say that a lower court needs to look at a case again and clarify what exactly it meant before the Supreme Court decides whether it was right or whether it was wrong.
Xinis has now called for the testimony of Trump administration officials who work for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department.
Many people across the political spectrum are saying Abrego Garcia deserves due process. And if you do the process wrong, and the court says you did the process wrong, you do actually have to facilitate his release back to the United States, not into the general population, but back to the authorities of the United States for more due process so they can check the boxes. Then the guy can be deported again.
Vice President Vance is taking the position that the administration is totally right not to facilitate due process in this particular case, essentially due to hardship.
Two things can be true at the same time: The Federal government should deport anybody who&#8217;s connected with MS-13, anybody who does not have American citizenship, who&#8217;s engaged in sympathy for anti-American views, or engages in action that is anti-American.
At the same time, there should be due process. Because if due process can be curbed for noncitizens, then due process could conceivably be curbed for citizens as well.
The question here is whether this legal fight is the fight that the administration wants to have.
It would be easy to tell the Salvadoran president to return Abrego Garcia, give him his day in court, and ship him out again. But the administration and the entire political Right have been conditioned to take the view that even admitting a mistake or doing a course-correction is a sign of weakness. That makes sense because the legacy media are willing to attack the Trump administration on any basis.
But sometimes it is better to just do the quick and easy thing and then move on to the actual priorities. In this case, it’s vital because with regard to immigration, there are important priorities.
The administration can take a legally dicey position and a politically popular position at the same time. Those two things can live in perfect harmony. Legally dicey and politically popular are constant aspects of many of the policy decisions made by leaders on both sides.
It&#8217;s a political winner for the Trump administration to say, “We want to deport illegal immigrants,” and force the Democrats into the position of defending illegal alien gang members or suspected gang members. That is a politically winning position.
But if you&#8217;re setting up a precedent where you actually want to get things done, you should be doing things the right way because it&#8217;s faster and easier to do it the right way than it is to do it the wrong way and then fight it out in the courts every step of the way.
You can win legally. You can do the right legal thing, which continues to give people the assurance that due process is carried out, gives the courts the assurance that due process is carried out, and also win the political fight.
One of the reasons I say the Trump administration should get out of its own way is that, legally, more pressing issues are occurring on the immigration front.
According to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/04/15/doge-ssa-immigration-trump-housing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Post</a>, “The Trump administration is using personal data normally protected from dissemination to find undocumented immigrants where they work, study and live, often with the goal of removing them from their housing and the workforce.”
This is good and necessary. Those are the big battles the Trump administration needs to win.
Fighting the due process considerations for Abrego Garcia should not take precedence over the rest of the Trump agenda on immigration.

President Trump Meets With El Salvador President Nayib Bukele At The White House

Immigration Fight: Will The Salvadoran Illegal Immigrant Return?

El Salvador

gangs

illegal immigrants

Maryland

MS-13 Gang

President Trump

Supreme Court

Vice President JD Vance attempted to recover a fumble after he dropped the trophy he was trying to hold up during a ceremony recognizing the Ohio State University football team.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-vance-celebrate-ohio-states-2025-national-championship-at-the-white-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ohio State team</a> was at the White House to commemorate their 2025 National Championship win (34-23) over Notre Dame — the first team to win in the new 12-team playoff format — and as they went to take a few photos, Vance appeared to suggest that he should hold up the trophy.
When the vice president went to lift the trophy off the table, however, the gold upper portion of the trophy and the black base separated — and Vance fumbled, trying to get ahold of one or both pieces. Running back TreVeyon Henderson and linebacker Cody Simon scrambled and were able to catch both pieces before the trophy hit the ground.
WATCH:
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The CFP National Championship Trophy falls apart as VP JD Vance tries to hold it aloft at the White House. <a href="https://t.co/XYmZRnCsK0">pic.twitter.com/XYmZRnCsK0</a>
&mdash; Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilipWegmann/status/1911869267164930395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Vance, who was an Ohio State graduate himself, held just the gold upper portion of the trophy while he posed with the team for photos — but he took to X a short time later to acknowledge the flub.
&#8220;I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it,&#8221; he joked. The trophy, as some noted in the comments, was not broken at all — the top had simply separated from the removable base.
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I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it <a href="https://t.co/rS3Vw3BdO6">https://t.co/rS3Vw3BdO6</a>
&mdash; JD Vance (@JDVance) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/1911877790388871537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Vance also took a playful jab at one person who had attended the event wearing a hat from OSU rival school University of Michigan, saying, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know who let the guy over in the corner here in a Michigan hat into this celebration but I&#8217;m about to tell the Secret Service you&#8217;ve got a dangerous weapon, sir.&#8221;
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VP Vance: &quot;I don&#39;t know who let the guy over in the corner here in a Michigan hat into this celebration but I&#39;m about to tell the Secret Service you&#39;ve got a dangerous weapon, sir.&quot; 
LOL <a href="https://t.co/41IXFr63hq">pic.twitter.com/41IXFr63hq</a>
&mdash; TheBlaze (@theblaze) <a href="https://twitter.com/theblaze/status/1911868802729451696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The team won the championship game on January 20, 2025 — the same day that President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term — and on Monday presented Trump with an Ohio State University jersey bearing his name and the number 47.
&#8220;It turns out January 20 was a big day for all of us,&#8221; Trump quipped.

TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-TRUMP-COLLEGE-FOOTBALL

‘I Decided To Break It’: JD Vance Plays Off Trophy Fumble At Ohio State Ceremony

'I Decided To Break It': JD Vance Plays Off Trophy Fumble At Ohio State Ceremony

Ohio State University

Sports

White House

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance celebrated the 2025 national football championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, congratulating the team on taking home the trophy in the first-ever 12-team playoff format. 
Ohio State won the National Championship on January 20, the same day Trump was sworn in for his second term.
“It turns out January 20 was a big day for all of us,” Trump said.
“This was a historic year in college football,” he added. “Standing together today, these men are the first college football players in history who can proudly call themselves 12-team playoff champions. … That’s not easy.”
The president praised the Buckeyes for pushing on through adversity during the season, including overcoming two losses — one to Oregon and another to “that team up north.” After getting upset by Michigan on November 30, Ohio State rallied, beating Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff.
Trump was flanked by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and star players TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith, Jack Sawyer, and Will Howard — all of whom were praised by the president for their performances during the playoff.
Vance, an Ohio State grad, also addressed the team and said he asked Trump if he could skip the last Inaugural Ball to attend the National Championship game.
“The president said no, but we’ll have them at the White House,” Vance added.
Vance then pointed out a man in a Michigan hat in the crowd, saying, “I don’t know who let the guy over there in the corner in the Michigan hat into this celebration. I’m about to tell the Secret Service you’ve got a dangerous weapon, sir.”
Hosts Jake Crain, Blain Crain, and David Cone of The Daily Wire’s sports podcast “Crain &amp; Company” were in attendance at the White House for the ceremony and thanked the president for keeping men out of women&#8217;s sports.
&#8220;That was an easy one,&#8221; Trump replied.
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Thank you for keeping your word, Mr. President, and protecting women’s sports by keeping men out. <a href="https://t.co/IkHWwMk9qf">pic.twitter.com/IkHWwMk9qf</a>
&mdash; Blain Crain (@Blain_Crain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Blain_Crain/status/1911877181547950591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Jake Crain <a href="https://x.com/JakeCrain_/status/1911823682881618220" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quipped</a> on X, &#8220;We are at The White House to pitch &#8216;DOSE.&#8217; Department of sports efficiency. Unveiling our platform soon.&#8221;
Cone, a former University of Michigan quarterback, wore a blue suit and his Wolverines ring during the celebration of his biggest rival.
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I’m at the White House but…
…I have to sit through the Buckeyes championship celebration. 
Every rose has its thorn, as they say. <a href="https://t.co/qu8nuKcaH7">pic.twitter.com/qu8nuKcaH7</a>
&mdash; David Cone (@davidadamcone) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidadamcone/status/1911846277567959116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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In a post on X, Cone also gave a shoutout to Trump for “bringing up the Michigan game.”
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Shoutout to President Trump for bringing up the Michigan game. It’s only right. <a href="https://t.co/MPNcJfVQer">pic.twitter.com/MPNcJfVQer</a>
&mdash; David Cone (@davidadamcone) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidadamcone/status/1911865988171055352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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President Trump/Ohio State Football

Trump, Vance Celebrate Ohio State’s 2025 National Championship At The White House

College Football

Crain and Company

U.S.

The U.S. Space Force announced on Thursday that it had <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/11/us-news/space-force-col-susannah-meyers-fired-after-email-about-jd-vances-greenland-visit-surfaces/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stripped</a> Col. Susannah Meyers, who ran the U.S. Space Force base in Greenland, of her command after she voiced disapproval of Vice President JD Vance’s statements when he visited the base last month.
During his speech at Pituffik Space Base, Vance <a href="https://singjupost.com/transcript-of-jd-vance-remarks-at-pituffik-space-base-in-greenland/?singlepage=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned</a> about “Russia and China and other nations  &#8230; taking an extraordinary interest in Arctic passageways and Arctic naval routes and indeed in the minerals of the Arctic territories. We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic because we know that if America doesn’t, other nations will fill the gap where we fall behind.”
He addressed Denmark, saying, “Let’s be honest, what Denmark over the last 20 years has failed to do in some cases, because we know that unfortunately this place, this base, the surrounding area is less secure than it was 30, 40 years ago, because some of our allies haven’t kept up.”
“There is no amount of bullying, no amount of obfuscating, no amount of confusing the issue,” he continued. “Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland. You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.”
On March 31, Meyers sent an email to the troops under her command saying she had “spent the weekend thinking about Friday&#8217;s visit &#8212; the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you. &#8230; I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base,” Military.com <a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/04/10/space-force-commander-greenland-sent-out-email-breaking-vance-after-his-visit.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
On Thursday, the Space Force <a href="https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4152328/for-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a>, “Colonel Susannah Meyers, commander of Pituffik Space Base was removed from command by Colonel Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1, on April 10, 2025 for loss of confidence in her ability to lead. Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties. Colonel Shawn Lee has assumed command.”
“Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump’s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense,” Sean Parnell, the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, wrote on X.
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Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump&#39;s agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense.
⬇️⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/ITFeGw0kUf">https://t.co/ITFeGw0kUf</a> <a href="https://t.co/MO68aje1X2">pic.twitter.com/MO68aje1X2</a>
&mdash; Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanParnellATSD/status/1910502650170265627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Other Republicans also voiced their approval of the decision:
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Good on <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteHegseth</a> and his team for their quick action here. <a href="https://t.co/4ZffW15Ok4">https://t.co/4ZffW15Ok4</a>
&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1910503914572554541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
President Trump is the Commander in Chief.
Get on board with the mission, or get out. <a href="https://t.co/XoSUwhn15t">https://t.co/XoSUwhn15t</a>
&mdash; Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTuberville/status/1910650518042468515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Colonel Meyers tried to politicize the Space Force and was held accountable.
Lloyd Austin isn’t SecDef anymore. 
Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteHegseth</a>. <a href="https://t.co/WNG9IgtT4w">pic.twitter.com/WNG9IgtT4w</a>
&mdash; Senator Jim Banks (@SenatorBanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorBanks/status/1910502333907185760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Vice President JD Vance Visits US Military Base In Northern Greenland

Space Force Fires Greenland Base Commander Who Slammed Vance’s Remarks

Greenland

United States Space Force

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