Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that he will not support his former boss and two-time running mate in the 2024 general election, adding to the deep rift between the two men that has formed since he left office. This is a nod to the fact that this is occurring.
“It’s no surprise that I’m not supporting Donald Trump this year,” Pence, who ran unsuccessfully for president himself, said on Fox News.
“Look, I’m very proud of our administration’s record. This is a conservative record that has made America more prosperous, more secure, more peaceful in the world, conservatives appointed to courts. “Pence said. “That said, I made it clear during the presidential campaign that there are significant differences between me and President Trump on a variety of issues.”
Mr. Trump is the presumptive Republican candidate for the November election, and is expected to face President Biden in a rematch.
For nearly two years, Pence has said publicly that he does not have the authority to reject the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021, despite pressure from President Trump. In launching his own campaign, Mr. Pence argued that Mr. Trump’s actions on January 6th were disqualifying.
The former vice president said Friday that his differences with President Trump go beyond that day, calling the former president’s lack of a plan to tackle the national debt, evasive comments about abortion restrictions and his own He recently cited his opposition to the ban on TikTok. In 2020 the regime was pursued.
“In each of these cases, Donald Trump has pursued and articulated policies that are at odds with the conservative policies we have been under for four years,” Pence said. “That’s why I cannot in good conscience support Donald Trump in this campaign.”
Pence was an unflinchingly loyal vice president to Trump throughout his first term, but emerged as one of the former president’s most outspoken critics during his own Republican primary campaign, which ended last October.
The former vice president frequently warned the party against following what he called the “siren song” of populism and questioned whether Trump was committed to conservative policy goals.
Mr. Pence joins former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley as potential candidates who have not yet endorsed Mr. Trump.
Trump, including Sen. Tim Scott (RS.C.), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R), and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (R). All those running against him support the former president. .
Pence’s advocacy group announced last month that it would spend $20 million to develop conservative policies and help elect conservative candidates.
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