A look into the VP vetting process, what it might mean for Trump

With just over five weeks until the Republican National Convention kicks off in Milwaukee on July 15, the chatter about who Donald Trump will choose as his running mate dominates the conversation on both sides of the political aisle.

As previously reported by USA TODAY, Trump’s campaign sent vetting documents to potential vice presidential picks, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Although options are constantly in flux, the former president is looking to time the announcement with the RNC.

“I think I’ll announce who that person’s going to be during the convention,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Thursday. “I think that’s pretty normal — during the convention, it will be an interesting period of time.”

Who was Donald Trump’s last vice president?

Mike Pence, 65, a former Indiana governor, served as Donald Trump’s vice president from 2017-2021. Still, he’s not endorsing his former boss for another term, saying the former president had strayed too far from conservative philosophy.

Pence also said he would not vote for President Joe Biden but would not reveal his candidate of choice in the general election.

VP vetting

The process of vetting a potential VP pick varies, but it generally involves an extensive background check of personal, ethical, and financial information to uncover potential issues or controversies that could harm the candidate’s chances in an election. Typically, lawyers, advisors, and donors assist the presidential candidate in determining the best fit for the role.

Informal lobbying

Before the Trump campaign requested vetting documents, the Lower Manhattan courtroom was the scene for potential vice-presidential auditions. Both North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Vance, who are under consideration for the job, traveled to New York last month to offer their loyalty to the former president.

“Every single person involved in this prosecution is practically a Democratic political operative,” the Republican from Ohio told reporters outside the courthouse.

On May 30, a New York jury convicted the GOP frontrunner on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime.  

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A balancing act

The role of the vice president during an election can also serve as a missing piece to the puzzle—who can capture a voting bloc that the presidential presumptive nominee may struggle with?

Several sources told Reuters that vice presidential deliberations are fluid, saying new names can quickly enter and exit the conversation.

“Anyone claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump,” Trump senior adviser Brian Hughes said.