Into this volatile climate came the Signal leak—messages sent to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg that thrust JD Vance into the national spotlight. Once a vehement critic of Trump, calling him “America’s Hitler,” Vance has since become his devoted second-in-command. But the leaked messages revealed simmering frustration. In one, Vance questioned Trump’s contradictory demands for European burden-sharing while unilaterally asserting American military dominance. “I don’t think the president realizes how contradictory this is with his message on Europe at the moment,” he wrote—an unusually candid critique that has fueled speculation about his loyalty and ambitions.
As vice president, Vance is just one heartbeat away from the presidency. While some conservatives question his ideological evolution, others view him as a pragmatic, family-centered figure—perhaps the GOP’s emergency fallback if Trump’s behavior begins to endanger Republican unity. Vance’s transformation from outspoken opponent to trusted confidant raises the question: would he govern differently, or simply more discreetly?
These revelations land amid deeper concerns about the health of American democracy. Political scientist Staffan Lindberg has warned that Trump’s return signals a retreat from democratic norms, with global implications. Former Republican communications director Tara Setmayer called the current moment “Defcon 1 for our democracy,” arguing that the media and political opposition have failed to alert the public to the gravity of the situation. Alarm intensified after a French scientist was denied U.S. entry due to anti-Trump messages found on his phone—an act critics decry as a chilling infringement on civil liberties.
If dysfunction within the administration reaches a tipping point, Trump could theoretically face removal via impeachment—he’s already survived two such attempts—or through the 25th Amendment, which would require the vice president and a majority of the cabinet to declare him unfit for office. If challenged, Congress would need a two-thirds vote in both chambers to uphold the decision. Some even speculate about the possibility of resignation, though Trump’s unpredictable nature makes that outcome far from certain.
Still, replacing Trump with Vance might not mark a radical shift in direction. Analysts believe the vice president’s alignment with Trump suggests continuity rather than correction. But with scandals mounting and policy chaos continuing, the more urgent narrative may be the quiet power struggle taking place behind closed doors.
As the months unfold, all eyes will turn to JD Vance—whether as Trump’s loyal second-in-command, or as the GOP’s reluctant Plan B when unpredictability becomes too costly to ignore.