Ex VP chief of staff warns Vance pick threatens 'full-on authoritarian movement'

On Monday, July 15 during the opening day of the 2024 Republican National Convention, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump's choice for a running mate was announced: Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).

Some Republican strategists were hoping that Trump would pick either Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) or North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, arguing that they would give the ticket more appeal to traditional conservatives. But Trump went ultra-MAGA by picking Vance, a former self-described Never Trumper who gave himself a far-right makeover and is now an outspoken MAGA firebrand.

Never Trump conservative Bill Kristol was highly critical of the pick in a July 16 post on X, formerly Twitter.

READ MORE: GOP donors were 'pulling for anyone' but Vance over senator’s claim he’s 'open to Bernie Bros': report

Kristol tweeted, "It's hard to confront the fact that, with Trump-Vance, we're facing a full-on authoritarian movement. Yes, Vance is an opportunist. But lots of politicians are opportunists."

The Never Trumper added, "Vance is something new: As VP, Vance would be a committed apparatchik in the service of authoritarianism."

During George W. Bush's presidency, Kristol — formerly of the now-defunct Weekly Standard — was a prominent figure in the GOP. But he has been a scathing critic of Trump and supported President Joe Biden in 2020.

READ MORE: J.D. Vance VP pick won't 'help secure Trump a particular state': expert