News Summary
Vice President JD Vance’s Fourth of July weekend in San Diego was marked by significant protests, especially during a high-profile dinner event. As Vance dined at Soichi Sushi, activists gathered outside to voice dissent, leading to street closures and a noticeable police presence. Local reactions were mixed, with some supporting the right to protest while others criticized the Vice President’s timing amid Texas floods. The evening raised questions about public official responsibilities during national crises.
San Diego – Vice President JD Vance’s visit to San Diego over the Fourth of July weekend was met with significant protests, particularly during a high-profile dinner event held in his honor. The Claremont Institute’s 2025 Statesmanship Award dinner took place on Saturday night and was emceed by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with tickets for general admission starting at $2,500 per seat.
On Sunday, Vance dined at Soichi Sushi, a Michelin-starred restaurant located in University Heights, where protests erupted outside as demonstrators voiced their dissent. Witnesses recorded videos showing Vance’s motorcade being escorted from the restaurant by police while protesters booed. The dinner and subsequent protests led to street closures and a substantial police presence lasting approximately three hours, causing disruptions for local residents.
Among the local residents, Kanye Nixon acknowledged the delays caused by the street closures but expressed support for both the Vice President’s right to dine and the protesters’ right to voice their opinions. On the other hand, neighbor Jason Martinez criticized the timing of Vance’s visit, noting that Texas was grappling with catastrophic floods at that time. The floods have sadly resulted in a death toll exceeding 100 people, and Martinez remarked on the disconcerting optics of the Vice President enjoying a lavish meal while relief efforts were urgently needed in Texas.
Soichi Sushi is renowned for its exclusivity and requires reservations to be made 60 days in advance, further highlighting the luxury of Vance’s dining experience. Following the incident, the restaurant’s Yelp page drew considerable attention and was placed under monitoring to safeguard against any false reviews or attacks related to the protests that occurred.
Outside Soichi Sushi, a wishing tree was placed to collect messages of support for the restaurant amidst the controversy. While some members of the community supported the right to protest, as they believe politicians should be held accountable like any other citizens, the juxtaposition of the Vice President dining in luxury alongside the Texas tragedy did not go unnoticed.
Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, has connections to San Diego, having grown up in the Rancho Peñasquitos neighborhood and attended Mt. Carmel High School. This familial link might have influenced the Vice President’s choice to visit the area during the holiday weekend amidst various fundraising events planned across the country. Subsequent to his visit to San Diego, Vance is scheduled for fundraising events in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
In response to the tragedy in Texas, Vice President Vance extended his condolences via social media, acknowledging a personal connection to the victims of the floods. However, the timing of his luxury dinner in San Diego during this national crisis raised eyebrows among critics and demonstrators who pointed out the apparent disconnect.
While Vance’s office did not provide comments following the protests, the evening of the dinner has shed light on various public sentiments regarding the responsibilities of public officials, especially during times of national hardship. The events of the weekend reflect not only the divided opinions on Vance’s actions but also the broader conversation around the role of government leaders in responding to crises.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8 News
- Wikipedia: United States Vice President
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: JD Vance
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Scholar: JD Vance
- Hindustan Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: JD Vance
- New York Times
- Google News: JD Vance
