Vice President JD Vance concluded his visit to India, departing from Agra Airport after a trip that included a visit to the Taj Mahal with his family. Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force Two, the Vice President discussed a range of topics, from the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir to the passing of Pope Francis.
“It’s great to be here in Agra,” Vance said, describing the Taj Mahal as “one of the most beautiful historic sites in the world.” He also expressed condolences to the people of Kashmir following a “terrible terrorist attack,” stating that President Trump and he had been in contact with Prime Minister Modi.
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The passing of Pope Francis was a central topic of the press briefing. Vance, who had met the Pope shortly before his death, remembered him as “a great pastor” who advocated for “people on the margins, poor people, people suffering from diseases.” He declined to speculate on attending the funeral, saying, “We just haven’t really thought that much about when his funeral is going to be and who’s going to attend from our government.”
When asked about the Pope’s final Easter message, which emphasized compassion for migrants and the vulnerable, Vance pushed back against the idea that the Pope’s legacy should be framed within the context of American politics. “I’m not going to soil the man’s legacy by talking about politics,” he stated. “He was a great Christian pastor, and that’s how I choose to remember the Holy Father.” He also declined to give guidance on the next Pope, stating “I’ll just say a prayer for wisdom, because I obviously want them to pick the right person.”
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On domestic policy, Vance expressed “100 percent confidence” in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, dismissing claims of staffer discontent as media bias. He also addressed trade negotiations, saying the administration is making “progress across the board” but that it was “a little bit too early to prejudge” the outcome. He reiterated the President’s stance on rebalancing global trade.
Vance also commented on the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, stating he disagreed with the notion that Garcia, identified by the Vice President as an MS-13 gang member, had not received due process. He criticized “radical judges” for hindering the deportation process of individuals with valid deportation orders.
Reflecting on his trip, which included attending Good Friday services at the Vatican and experiencing India with his family, Vance called it “an amazing and a special trip” and “incredibly personally enriching and rewarding.”
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Finally, addressing the federal government’s review of university funding, Vance asserted that institutions violating the law, citing Harvard and alleged civil rights violations, “shouldn’t receive taxpayer money.” Regarding Democratic criticism of Secretary Rubio’s plan to reorganize the State Department, Vance dismissed it as typical opposition and defended the plan as a “commonsense idea” to address institutional bureaucracy.
On the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, Vance echoed Secretary Rubio’s sentiment, stating the U.S. has presented a “very explicit proposal” and that it is time for the involved parties to agree or for the U.S. to withdraw from the negotiation process. While expressing optimism, he clarified that any resolution would likely involve territorial adjustments for both sides. “We want the killing to stop,” he emphasized.
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