Trump singles out next Cabinet member to throw under the bus

Less than a month out from the first ouster of a Cabinet member in his second term, President Donald Trump is seemingly prepping to throw another one under the bus, according to a new analysis from The New Republic.

Early last month, Trump announced his removal of Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary, after she reportedly angered him by suggesting he approved an expensive and controversial ad campaign. This was the first high-profile firing of his second term as president, which has been marked by a much more stubborn refusal to cut major officials when compared to his first.

In a piece published Thursday, The New Republic's Edith Olmstead argued that Trump appears to be preparing to throw his "number two," Vice President JD Vance, under the bus if a ceasefire deal cannot be reached with Iran. She highlighted an exchange between the two from an Easter luncheon on Wednesday, where Trump called

“He’s working on the deal, right? How’s that moving? Is it OK? The big deal?” Trump said.

“It’s going good, sir,” Vance said from the audience.

“Do you see that happening?” Trump pressed.

“We’re gonna brief you too,” Vance said.

“So, if it doesn’t happen, I’m blaming JD Vance. If it does happen, I’m taking full credit,” Trump responded. “No, I think it’ll be uh. I think it has to happen. I think they’re desperate."

Despite Trump's suggestion, Olmstead noted that there is little indication that Iran is actually "desperate" for an end to the conflict. Citing a recent New York Times report, she wrote that the country "believes it is still in a strong position and is not currently willing to engage in substantial negotiations to end the U.S. and Israel’s military onslaught." She also noted that Trump has been contradicting his repeated claims that all military objectives have been completed in Iran, given that he also said bombing will continue for at least a few more weeks.

Numerous reports have emerged since the start of the war in Iran, suggesting that Vance, a staunch isolationist, was among the voices closest to Trump most opposed to the conflict. Trump has also reportedly been attacking his likely 2028 successor over the stance, with Zeteo reporting that he has directed "snide, annoyed comments" towards the vice president due to his "skeptical" take on the war.

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