US vice president's deleted Armenia post draws Armenian lobby criticism

2026-02-10 - 23:05

US Vice President JD Vance has drawn criticism from a prominent Armenian lobby group after deleting a social media post about his visit to a memorial in Yerevan, Armenia. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) rebuked the move, which came after the Vice President's office reposted images from the visit without the historically contested term "genocide." Office cites staff error, White House clarifies policy A spokesperson for Vance stated the initial post was shared "in error by staff not part of the delegation," clarifying that the account is managed by staff to share photos of his activities. When questioned, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt pointed to the administration's earlier statement on Armenian Remembrance Day, which referred to the 1915 events as "one of the worst disasters of the 20th century." She emphasized, "There's been no change of policy at this time." Context of the historical dispute The incident touches on a long-standing historical disagreement. Türkiye objects to the characterization of the 1915 events as "genocide," viewing them as a tragic period of widespread suffering for both Armenians and Turks during the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. Ankara has repeatedly proposed forming a joint historical commission with Armenian and international scholars to examine the events openly. The ANCA, a leading advocate for U.S. recognition of Armenian claims and potential sanctions against Türkiye, criticized the removal of the term from the Vice President's message. Diplomatic sensitivities and lobbying dynamics The episode highlights the ongoing diplomatic sensitivity surrounding the issue in U.S. politics, where Armenian diaspora groups are influential. For Türkiye, a key NATO ally, consistent U.S. rejection of the "genocide" label is a matter of significant importance. The Vice President's corrected post, omitting the term, aligns with the current administration's cautious terminology and reflects the balancing act required in managing relations with both Armenia and Türkiye.