Mike Pence, the former vice president, launched his 2024 presidential campaign by targeting Donald Trump, his former patron. During a CNN town hall in Iowa, Pence criticized Trump’s actions prior to the January 6, 2021 insurrection, federal spending and entitlement reform, and Vladimir Putin. Pence stated that he chose the Constitution over Trump and hopes that the Justice Department does not indict Trump over the handling of classified information. Pence also declined to comment on whether he would pardon Trump if he is convicted in one or more of the investigations against him. Pence attacked President Joe Biden and the Democrats and made it clear that Trump’s legacy will be a big part of his longshot presidential campaign. Pence said he plans to be the nominee and hopes Trump “comes around” on their differences, especially over Jan. 6. Trump did not comment publicly on Pence’s campaign, while allies took a low-key and skeptical approach.Ron DeSantis’ campaign had a bad week, and many GOP voters are questioning why Mike Pence is running for president in 2024. This is a departure from the 2016 presidential cycle, where Republican opponents attacked each other rather than risk alienating Trump’s base. Pence has been critical of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He has also differed from Trump on the issue of abortion, which is important to conservative religious voters. Pence has criticized Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.During a CNN town hall, former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Biden’s stance on entitlements, saying that it was “disappointing” that Biden shared the same view as Trump. Pence also stated that changes to Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs were necessary to address the government’s debt crisis. Pence also escalated his criticism of Trump, expanding his misgivings about the Jan. 6 insurrection and stating that history would hold Trump accountable. Despite his announcement to run for president, Pence’s poll numbers remain low, with only 4% support in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.x=”0 0 24 24″>
On Tuesday evening, Vice President Mike Pence took part in a CNN Town Hall from Johnston, Iowa. There, he addressed some of the recent criticisms of President Donald Trump and the administration’s foreign policy, the forthcoming Presidential election, healthcare reform, and more.
Pence began by responding to accusations from several Democratic presidential hopefuls that the Trump administration has not done enough to rein in the president’s impulsiveness and protect the nation. Pence asserted that this administration has done more in its two and a half years than many administrations do in eight years, citing the historic tax cuts, criminal justice reform, and regulation-cutting efforts that have been accomplished under President Trump.
Pence defended the Trump administration’s foreign policy, which has been the subject of recent controversy. He argued that by preventing adversaries from gaining significant ground in the Middle East, the administration is working to ensure that America can easily “navigate the world stage both militarily and economically.”
Finally, Pence addressed the President’s forthcoming reelection campaign. He expressed confidence that Trump will continue to keep his promises to the American people, noting Trump’s record of implementing “significant domestic policies and achieving historic successes in renegotiating unfair trade agreements around the world.”
While some of the questions posed at the Town Hall were met with criticism from the Vice President, overall, Pence took the opportunity to remind American voters of President Trump’s accomplishments and provided an optimistic outlook about the impending election. It seems clear that the administration is confident that Donald Trump will succeed in his reelection efforts come November.
