Vance Taps Capitol Hill Veterans, Tucker Carlson’s Son for VP Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President J.D. Vance has appointed several former Senate staffers and Capitol Hill veterans to key roles in his office, including Buckley Carlson, the son of conservative media personality Tucker Carlson, as deputy press secretary, sources confirmed to ABC News on Jan. 27, 2025.

Buckley Carlson, who has worked on Capitol Hill since 2019, most recently served as deputy chief of staff to Republican Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana. He first joined Banks’ office as a staff assistant in 2019 before rising to communications director in 2021. His appointment underscores Vance’s reliance on experienced political operatives to fill his vice presidential team.

Vance, who assumed office earlier this month, has brought over several key staffers from his Senate office and presidential campaign. Jacob Reses, who served as Vance’s chief of staff in the Senate, will continue in that role. Brian Gray, Vance’s former political director and state director, has been named deputy chief of staff.

Other notable appointments include Ben Moss as director of domestic policy, Andy Baker as national security adviser, and Will Martin as communications director. Luke Schroeder, who previously served as Vance’s Senate press secretary, will now serve as deputy communications director. Taylor Van Kirk, who worked on Vance’s 2022 Senate campaign and presidential bid, has been named press secretary.

Abby Delahoyde, Vance’s director of operations during his Senate tenure, will reprise that role in the vice president’s office. Delahoyde previously worked for Rep. Byron Donalds and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. Sean Cooksey, former chair of the Federal Election Commission, has also joined Vance’s team as general counsel.

These appointments highlight Vance’s strategy of surrounding himself with trusted aides who have deep experience in both legislative and campaign operations. The inclusion of Buckley Carlson, whose father is a prominent figure in conservative media, adds a notable dimension to Vance’s communications team as the administration prepares for its first major policy initiatives.