JD Vance heads to L.A. to meet with Marines on the ground — and to raise money – Times of San Diego

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Times of San Diego
Local News and Opinion for San Diego
Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Los Angeles on Friday will have two purposes. First, Vance will meet with federal officials and Marines who are on the ground pushing back against protests in the city, and later, he will speak at the Republican National Committee’s annual Summer Retreat, according to an invitation obtained by NOTUS.
Vance, who has emerged as the main fundraiser for the Republican Party since ascending to the vice presidency earlier this year, will also make a separate fundraising stop in California this week for another event.
Contributions for the Summer Retreat event ranged from $15,000 to $445,000, according to a source familiar with the matter.
During his stop in Los Angeles, Vance will “tour a multi-agency Federal Joint Operations Center and a Federal Mobile Command Center,” the White House said in a release. These centers facilitate coordination and information sharing across agencies during emergencies or other big events — like the L.A. protests.
After meeting with Marines who are in Los Angeles to combat the protests against the administration’s immigration policies, Vance will deliver remarks, the White House said.
The visit to Los Angeles comes as unrest in the city continues to build. President Donald Trump federalized the National Guard and deployed Marines to the L.A. area to help quash protests. But local Democrats say that has only made things worse.
His visit could cause more protests, but it also will serve as a significant marker for the administration, as Trump and the White House try to make law and order a theme of this presidency and keep the public’s focus on Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
But Vance’s visit will also be an opportunity for West Coast donors to get some face time with the vice president.
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In March, Vance was named the RNC’s finance chair, and he has emerged as a key fundraiser for the GOP. He’s hosted multiple large-dollar events and brought in millions for Republicans.
While Vance is playing an important role for the Republican Party, it’s also an opportunity for him to connect with big donors and raise his profile before a widely expected 2028 presidential bid.
This story was produced as part of a partnership between NOTUS — a publication from the nonprofit, nonpartisan Allbritton Journalism Institute — and NEWSWELL, home of Times of San Diego, Santa Barbara News-Press and Stocktonia.
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