Vice President Vance Briefs Media Following White House Press Secretary Departure

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has departed from her position, and President Donald Trump has not yet appointed a successor. In her absence, Vice President JD Vance conducted a media briefing on Thursday. During the briefing, Fox News White House reporter Peter Doocy inquired whether Vance was speaking as the vice president or acting press secretary. Vance referenced a meme regarding Secretary of State Marco Rubio's additional responsibilities, joking, "I'm not Marco; I've not yet accepted any additional jobs." He mentioned that Trump wished him well during the briefing but humorously noted that he might need to perform poorly to avoid being appointed to the role permanently. Vance also discussed his friendship with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, acknowledging their disagreements but emphasizing the importance of not undermining friends due to political differences. Vance expressed anticipation for his upcoming appearance at a memorial in New York marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, reflecting on the national unity experienced after the attacks. He then made a light-hearted comment about President Joe Biden, suggesting they would have "intense intellectual conversations." Vance addressed economic matters, stating that inflation data supports the Federal Reserve's need to lower interest rates. He asserted that the administration believes it is responsible for the Fed to make such adjustments. Vance also commented on a recent U.S. military strike that reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, stating that the U.S. does not target civilians and is investigating the incident. He mentioned ongoing efforts to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran, providing conflicting figures on oil transport. Vance clarified that the current situation with Iran does not constitute a war, despite recent military actions, and emphasized the need for U.S. protection of global shipping. He sidestepped questions regarding the exit of Dan Driscoll from his role as U.S. Army Secretary and defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership. When asked about potential presidential candidates, Vance encouraged Republicans to focus on midterm elections, expressing support for various candidates without committing to any specific individual.