Vice President JD Vance faced protests and political attacks while vacationing with his family at Disneyland over the weekend. Protesters, California officials, and even Governor Gavin Newsom used the visit to criticize the administration’s immigration enforcement policies, despite Vance making no public political statements during the trip.
Governor Newsom posted a video on social media showing Vance with his family in the park, writing, “Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t.” His comment drew backlash from conservatives, who criticized Newsom for politicizing a family outing.
The Orange County Register reported that temporary flight restrictions and increased security were in place around Disneyland from Friday through Sunday. Approximately 100 to 150 protesters gathered outside the park, some waving Mexican flags, to target the vice president over federal immigration policies. Protests also occurred at the Grand Californian Hotel and in the surrounding Anaheim area.
Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento issued a statement saying he respected the office but rejected the administration’s immigration actions. He encouraged federal officials to “come to the table” to reverse policies that he claimed were harmful to immigrant communities in California.
While the protests were largely peaceful, the optics of targeting a sitting vice president during a private family trip raised concerns among local leaders. Republican Supervisor Don Wagner encouraged political engagement rather than public demonstrations. “This could be a chance to engage rather than stay away,” Wagner said.
Vance’s office did not respond to media inquiries, as the vice president intended the Disneyland visit to remain apolitical. Despite that, his presence became the focal point for left-wing protestors and Democrat officials aiming to score political points.
