Post by : Rameen Ariff

Indian-origin US Congressman Ro Khanna has come forward to defend Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance, amid growing controversy over the Vice President’s recent remarks about his wife’s religion. The debate erupted after JD Vance said during an interview that he “would like it if his Indian-origin, Hindu-raised wife converted to Christianity.”

The Vice President clarified later that Usha Vance “is not a Christian and does not plan to convert,” but the initial comment triggered widespread discussion on social media and in political circles across the United States.

Ro Khanna Urges Respect for Families in Public Life

Responding to the criticism, Congressman Ro Khanna posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“No one has been harsher on JD Vance’s policy than I have. But his wife is an accomplished daughter of immigrants and they have young kids. Attack the policies. Leave his family out of it.”

Khanna’s statement has been widely praised online for bringing focus back to political discourse rather than personal lives. Many users echoed his sentiment, urging that politicians’ families should not be dragged into controversies over personal beliefs.

Usha Vance Garners Support Across Party Lines

Political commentator Meghan McCain also extended her support for the Second Lady, describing her as “a huge asset” to the administration for her poise, intelligence, and grace.

In a post on X, McCain wrote:

“She is not only a huge asset because of her poise, intelligence and grace — but women across the country love and admire her.”

McCain, who interviewed Usha Vance on camera earlier this year, added that she considers her “a modern mother and a style icon” whose appeal “crosses party and political lines.”

Who Is Usha Vance? The Story Behind the Second Lady

Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance, born and raised in San Diego, California, is the daughter of Indian immigrants who moved to the United States in the late 1970s. Her father worked as a mechanical engineer and her mother as a molecular biologist.

An accomplished academic, Usha graduated with a degree in history from Yale University and was later a Gates Scholar at Cambridge University before returning to Yale Law School, where she met JD Vance in 2010. The two connected through a student group discussing “social decline in white America,” a subject that would later inspire JD Vance’s bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

JD Vance has previously written that he “fell hard” for Usha, describing her as possessing “several ideal qualities.” The couple now have three children and reside in Washington, D.C.

A Broader Debate on Faith and Privacy

The incident has reignited conversations about religion, identity, and privacy in American politics. Many commentators argue that while religious discussions are part of political culture, family members of public officials deserve protection from public scrutiny.

As the debate unfolds, Usha Vance continues to receive praise across political lines for her composure, intelligence, and representation as a second-generation Indian-American at the highest level of US leadership

#world news #Global News