BANGOR, Maine (WGME) — Protesters rallying against Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Maine on Thursday and pushed back on the latest moves by the Trump administration.
Several people lined Maine Avenue just 100 feet away from where the vice president was speaking. There was a lot of shouting and honking as cars went by. As for the protesters themselves, their message was clear: they want a regime change.
Protesters rally in Bangor against VP JD Vance’s Maine visit (WGME)
As Vice President J.D. Vance took the stage at Bangor International Airport, the room was filled mostly with excitement and applause. But outside, it was a different story.
“I would like to see this vice president grow a backbone,” Michelle Breton, a protester, said.
“J.D. Vance coming here is a waste of fuel,” Amy Strum, another protester, said.
From 9 a.m. on Thursday to the minute the vice president left Maine, a group of at least 30 protesters with signs in hand were pushing back on Vance’s visit.
“He said he is here searching out fraud, and what I thought is, well, why don’t you go down to Augusta where the State House is?” Skyler Burgess, a protester, said.
Standing with the crowd was 2nd Congressional District candidate Jordan Wood. The Democrat called on the administration to end the war in Iran.
“I thought Vance was supposed to be negotiating a peace, but apparently this is more important to him. But I think it shows how afraid they are of the upcoming election,” Wood said.
Supporters who listened to the vice president speak had a much different take as they exited.
One attendee said, “One of the best days of my life.”
Protesters rally in Bangor against VP JD Vance’s Maine visit (WGME)
“It was really great to hear somebody care about the state of Maine,” Tiffany Strout, who attended Vance’s speech, said.
Strout was on stage, just a few feet from the vice president as he addressed efforts to combat alleged Medicaid fraud in the state.
“I support looking into that information and making sure the ones receiving it are in need,” Strout said.
Protesters say they won’t back down.
“If we don’t show up, then we are essentially de facto agreeing with what’s happening,” Breton said.
Gov. Janet Mills called Vance’s remarks a “weak attempt to distract from the Trump administration’s failing agenda.”
She added that “as governor, I have always cracked down on fraud, often by working hand-in-hand with the federal government.”