Pence Refuses to Endorse Trump, Citing Conscience Conflict

Former Vice President Mike Pence made a surprising announcement on Friday, stating that he could not endorse Donald Trump as the GOP nominee. Pence explained that Trump's current agenda differs from the conservative agenda they previously worked on together during their four years in office. This is why Pence felt he could not endorse Trump for the upcoming campaign.

During the 2024 Republican primary, the former vice president chose not to endorse any candidate after dropping out of the presidential race in October. However, he had previously promised to support whoever wins the GOP nomination.

Despite expressing pride in the achievements of the Trump-Pence administration, Pence criticized the former president for moving away from conservative values. He specifically mentioned Trump's positions on abortion, US national debt, and his change of stance on TikTok.

Pence made it clear during his presidential campaign that there were significant differences between him and President Trump on various issues, including the constitutional duties he exercised on January 6th.

He observed that Trump was moving away from their shared commitment to addressing the national debt, stepping back from supporting the sanctity of human life, and changing his stance on being tough on China and supporting the administration's actions to sell ByteDance's TikTok.

Pence did not disclose his choice for the 2024 general election, mentioning that he will keep his vote private. However, he made it clear that he will "never vote" for President Joe Biden and indicated that he will not support a third-party candidate.

Breaking away from his superior, Pence chose not to challenge the 2020 election results while overseeing Congress' certification of Biden's victory on January 6, 2021. He later expressed that Trump's "reckless words" on that day put his family and others at the US Capitol in danger during the violent breach by a mob of Trump supporters.

During his presidential campaign last year, Pence cautioned Republicans about the dangers of following Trump and other imitators who promote populism.

More recently, Pence and his organization, Advancing American Freedom, revealed plans to invest $20 million in promoting conservative policies.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

Editor's P/S:

Mike Pence's decision not to endorse Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican primary is a significant development in the ongoing political landscape. Pence's decision underscores the growing divide within the GOP, as the former vice president distances himself from Trump's increasingly extreme positions. Pence's criticism of Trump's departure from conservative values, particularly on issues such as abortion, national debt, and China policy, highlights the ideological rift within the party.

Pence's decision is also notable in light of his previous loyalty to Trump. Despite their differences, Pence had remained a steadfast supporter of the former president, even after the January 6th Capitol riot. However, his recent announcement suggests that Pence is no longer willing to tolerate Trump's embrace of populism and conspiracy theories. Pence's decision not to endorse any candidate in the Republican primary and his vow never to vote for Biden indicate that he is taking a more independent stance in the political arena. His plans to invest $20 million in promoting conservative policies further suggest that he is committed to shaping the future of the GOP in his own image.