Story perspectives

VP Vance likens Watergate to Trump, sparks backlash

6/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Vice President JD Vance said Watergate would now get a news cycle, likening it to President Donald Trump’s coverage.
He spoke at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California, promoted Communion, noting his career parallels with Nixon’s as senators-turned-VPs facing media hostility.
Joe Scarborough and Rep. Jamie Raskin called Vance’s remarks “stupid” and compared Watergate to corruption in Trump’s administration, leading to his conviction on 34 felony counts.

History

Historical Context

Bill Clinton’s 1998-99 impeachment, investigated by independent counsel Ken Starr, produced 11 volumes of reports costing about $30 million and ended with the Senate’s February 12, 1999 acquittal—the first presidential impeachment since Andrew Johnson. The episode showed that high-profile scandals can survive congressional votes, a precedent JD Vance cites when likening Watergate to today’s political controversies.

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Story summary

Vice President JD Vance said Watergate would now get a news cycle, likening it to President Donald Trump’s coverage.
He spoke at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California, promoted Communion, noting his career parallels with Nixon’s as senators-turned-VPs facing media hostility.
Joe Scarborough and Rep. Jamie Raskin called Vance’s remarks “stupid” and compared Watergate to corruption in Trump’s administration, leading to his conviction on 34 felony counts.

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