Matthew Peterson Honors JD Vance at Claremont Institute’s Political Awards

During the July 4th weekend, Matthew Peterson, who leads “Blaze News: The Mandate” and co-hosts at Blaze Media, attended the Claremont Institute’s 2025 Political Awards. The ceremony recognized Vice President JD Vance.

Peterson remarked, “This award isn’t issued every year, and you might guess why… there just aren’t many politicians like that.” He noted that having JD Vance, a relatively young figure in politics, receive such recognition is significant.

Vance’s keynote address eloquently described what it means to be an American and cautioned against losing focus on that definition.

He asserted, “American citizenship should signify belonging to a country that honors the sovereignty of its people. This includes clear distinctions that protect the nation from foreign influence and securing borders against invasion.” He emphasized the importance of defending citizens’ businesses from unfair foreign trade practices and avoiding over-involvement in foreign conflicts.

Moreover, Vance highlighted that citizenship entails access to vital rights, such as voting in state and local elections, as well as eligibility for national healthcare benefits.

He cautioned, “When states start extending these privileges to illegal immigrants, they dilute the value of citizenship. States that ignore this distinction won’t last long.” However, he clarified that citizenship isn’t simply a status; it’s about the contributions individuals make.

Vance mentioned, “In the 21st century, citizenship should involve active participation in building and improving our nation. Our ancestors transformed untamed land into thriving communities.” He lamented the current belief that American manufacturing is in irreversible decline.

“Now is the time to innovate. We must focus on creating something exceptional for future generations,” he urged. “This means fostering an environment where inventors and visionaries can flourish, just as we needed brilliant minds to reach the moon,” he concluded.

Vance expressed that citizens should think long-term about their contributions to society, countering claims that depend on low-wage workers. “We can achieve growth with American labor; it’s about the willingness to embrace that possibility,” he stated.

For a deeper look into Vance’s ideas and the analysis from the Blaze News Panel, you can view the video shared.