The problem with the DOM is the DOM itself and how it is written. React decided to abstract it completely, AngularJS decided to bundle its own version of jQuery with it and try to restrict DOM manipulations within directives. But both still do DOM manipulation under the hood, whether it is with jQuery or framework X it doesn't matter, provided the DOM abstraction works on a wide range of browsers and is extensively tested.
But what is wrong is saying jQuery isn't plain JS or "Vanilla JS". Which is stupid since jQuery IS a DOM abstraction and any javascript library written in javascript is plain or vanilla js. It can only mean that the person who says that doesn't know the difference between the DOM and Javascript.
I think we're all aware jQuery is written plain JS and it's not an own language ... it's an abstraction layer. The question is: Is it still necessary - or is it becoming obsolete, because nativly in browsers implemented DOM has evolved to the point where an abstraction layer isn't making things easier any more.
So, why use an abstraction layer if the base layer itself offers quite the same comfort?
But what is wrong is saying jQuery isn't plain JS or "Vanilla JS". Which is stupid since jQuery IS a DOM abstraction and any javascript library written in javascript is plain or vanilla js. It can only mean that the person who says that doesn't know the difference between the DOM and Javascript.