Donald Trump’s administration is facing intense scrutiny, and the president’s unpredictable leadership style may ultimately lead to his downfall. According to veteran political analyst Adam Boulton, Trump’s biggest threat comes not from the Democratic opposition, but from within his own administration, specifically from Vice President JD Vance ¹.
Boulton suggests that if Trump becomes more of an unpredictable liability, Republicans may decide that Vance is a better bet to keep them in power. This could happen if Trump’s actions, such as imposing tariffs or pushing the country into an armed confrontation with an ally, become too much for his administration to handle.
Since returning to office, Trump has enacted a wave of executive orders, some of which have unsettled even his strongest supporters. His administration has taken aggressive stances on trade, imposing tariffs on key allies like Canada and Mexico. These erratic decisions, coupled with Trump’s history of personal and political controversies, have reportedly caused unease within his inner circle.
JD Vance, a former venture capitalist and author of Hillbilly Elegy, has a complicated history with Trump. Vance once harshly criticized Trump, but has since positioned himself as one of the president’s most loyal allies. However, his reputation took a hit following the Signal group scandal, in which he appeared to voice subtle criticism of Trump.
As Vice President, Vance occupies one of the most powerful roles in the country, and could be in line to take over the presidency if Trump falters. While some conservatives see Vance as a pragmatic choice to lead the country, others question his ideological consistency.
The discussion about Trump’s stability comes at a time when democracy in the U.S. is facing scrutiny. Staffan Lindberg, a political scientist at V-Dem, warned that the country seems to be heading towards a transition away from democracy under Trump’s leadership.
If political tensions within the administration continue to escalate, there are several ways Trump could be removed from power. The most well-known option is impeachment, which Trump survived twice during his first term. Another possibility is the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which would require Vice President Vance and a majority of the cabinet to declare Trump unable to discharge his duties.
A third scenario could be political pressure leading to Trump’s resignation, similar to what happened with President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. While this outcome may seem unlikely, Trump’s unpredictable nature and mounting tensions within his administration could push Republicans to consider alternative leadership.
Ultimately, the Trump White House remains as unpredictable as ever, and the possibility of internal power struggles is very real. As the administration faces increasing scrutiny, all eyes will be on JD Vance — whether as Trump’s loyal second-in-command or as a potential replacement.