Mike Pence Snubs Former Boss, Chooses Independence Over Loyalty
Former Vice President Mike Pence made headlines this week with his announcement that he would not endorse Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, in a surprising break from his former boss.
In a lengthy interview with Fox News, Pence explained that he felt he could no longer support Trump in good conscience due to profound policy differences. “As I have watched his candidacy unfold, I’ve seen him walking away from our commitment to confronting the national debt. I’ve seen him starting to shy away from a commitment to the sanctity of human life,” said Pence. He cited Trump’s shifting stances on issues like abortion, the national debt, and the sale of TikTok as examples.
A Principled Stand Against Populism
This is not the first time Pence has voiced concerns about Trump’s brand of populism. During his own 2024 campaign, Pence had warned of the “siren song of populism” and its imitators. As Vice President, Pence also refused to accede to Trump’s pressure to overturn the 2020 election results, a decision that put his family in danger on January 6th. Pence has established himself as a champion of conservative principles who is unwilling to compromise his values or integrity for the sake of political loyalty or expediency.
Pence’s announcement is a clear signal that he believes Trump has moved away from the conservative agenda they pursued together in government. However, Pence declined to reveal who he might support instead, keeping his own options open. One thing is clear – Mike Pence has chosen the path of principled independence over blind loyalty in his post-White House career.
