While President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fielded questions from reporters in the Oval Office, Vice President JD Vance sat quietly on the sidelines.
His posture—slumped slightly on a side couch—was in stark contrast to the intense conversations unfolding around him.
But make no mistake, Vance had been far from idle.
The vice president had spent the weekend and much of Monday working behind the scenes, making calls and rallying support for Trump’s more controversial cabinet picks.
With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard tapped for Director of National Intelligence, opposition was fierce.
Many saw their confirmations as long shots, but Vance was determined to push them through.
Rallying Support for Controversial Picks
Vance took to social media on January 29 to warn fellow Republicans that blocking these nominees would come with political consequences.
He argued that both Kennedy and Gabbard represented important factions within the party’s evolving coalition.
“Rejecting them,” he wrote on X, “would be an insult to the new voters who have helped reshape our party.”
Behind the scenes, however, his approach was much more diplomatic.
Although he had only spent two years in the Senate before assuming the vice presidency, Vance had built strong relationships with Republican colleagues.
His strategy was simple: listen, address concerns, and convince key players that Trump’s choices deserved their backing.
The Personal Touch That Made a Difference
Vance focused his attention on two influential senators: Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a key voice on the Senate Finance Committee, and Todd Young of Indiana, who played a major role in the Senate Intelligence Committee.
By patiently hearing them out and working with Kennedy and Gabbard to address their concerns, he won their trust.
In Washington, where everyone loves to talk, Vance’s ability to listen made a strong impression.
His calm, thoughtful approach paid off when, just hours before the committee vote, Young announced his support for Gabbard, crediting Vance’s patience and persistence.
“He was respectful,” Young told reporters. “He listened more than he talked, and he worked with me to reach the concessions needed for a yes vote.”
Cassidy followed suit, announcing his support for Kennedy while publicly thanking Vance for his guidance.
Proving Himself as an ‘Honest Broker’
Although Kennedy and Gabbard still face a final Senate confirmation vote, the backing of Cassidy and Young signals a likely win.
Vance’s ability to bridge divides has earned him a growing reputation as an “honest broker” and a “trusted voice” in Congress, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
His influence has already been felt beyond these nominations.
Early in the administration, Vance convinced Trump to abandon the idea of nominating Rep.
Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, knowing he would never make it through confirmation.
Similarly, when the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense seemed doomed, Vance stepped in at the last moment.
He cast the decisive tie-breaking vote in the Senate, despite opposition from former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
“What do you think of this Pete Hegseth guy?” he joked as he walked up to cast his vote, breaking the tension in the chamber.
Taking on New Challenges
With a successful cabinet push under his belt, Vance now faces his next big challenge: negotiating a deal to keep TikTok operational in the U.S. The platform was banned under former President Joe Biden, but Trump and Vance have made keeping it accessible a key campaign promise.
It will be up to the vice president to broker a solution that satisfies both lawmakers and the tech industry.
At a recent press conference with Netanyahu, Trump took a moment to acknowledge Vance’s efforts.
“JD, please stand up,” Trump said with a grin. “He’s been doing a good job.
He’s been working very hard on all things.”
For Vance, the praise was a welcome nod, but the work is far from over.
Next week, he heads to Europe for an artificial intelligence conference in Paris, followed by the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
As he juggles multiple high-stakes negotiations, one thing is clear—JD Vance is proving himself as a force to be reckoned with in Washington.
“It’s the coolest job I’ve ever had,” he told Fox Business with a laugh. “And I’m learning a lot.”
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