Former Vice President Mike Pence continues to try and carve out space within the Republican Party by distancing himself from Donald Trump, though his criticisms appear unlikely to win favor with the MAGA base. In a recent CNN interview with anchor Kate Bolduan, Pence addressed reports that U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine had been paused without President Trump’s knowledge. Calling the situation “troubling,” Pence said he believes Trump will investigate and resolve the issue.
Pence emphasized the importance of ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine, urging Trump not only to resume defensive aid but also to provide offensive capabilities to help Ukraine push back against Russian aggression. He made clear that he sees U.S. involvement as essential to securing lasting peace, pushing back against what he views as growing isolationist sentiment within the GOP.
This isn’t the first time Pence has challenged his former boss publicly. In May, he criticized Trump’s remarks made during a speech in Saudi Arabia, where the former president condemned previous U.S. military interventions and questioned the effectiveness of nation-building efforts. Pence viewed the comments as an affront to U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Specifically, Pence took issue with Trump criticizing American foreign policy while on foreign soil, especially in Saudi Arabia—the home country of most of the 9/11 hijackers. Pence said such remarks were “unfortunate” and did a disservice to those who fought in the Global War on Terror.
Although Pence expressed support for a second Trump term back in February, he has signaled a desire to serve as a “constructive force” within the conservative movement. However, his effort to balance loyalty with critique has left him politically isolated, with minimal support from the Trump-dominated Republican base.
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