Former Vice President Mike Pence has made a surprising announcement, stating that he cannot support Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency in the upcoming 2024 election. Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president, cited significant disagreements with Trump’s current agenda compared to the conservative platform they pursued during their time in office.
In an interview with Fox News, Pence expressed his inability to endorse Trump due to what he sees as a misalignment between Trump’s agenda and traditional conservative values. He highlighted issues such as abortion, the national debt, and Trump’s recent reversal on policies regarding TikTok as points of contention.
While Pence refrained from endorsing any candidate in the Republican primary, he previously pledged to support the eventual GOP nominee. However, he has now clarified that he cannot in good conscience support Trump’s candidacy.
Despite his refusal to endorse Trump, Pence made it clear that he would not vote for President Joe Biden in the general election, nor would he support a third-party candidate. He emphasized his commitment to conservative principles but did not disclose who he plans to vote for.
Pence’s decision to distance himself from Trump comes after a series of disagreements, including Trump’s insistence on overturning the results of the 2020 election, which Pence refused to do during Congress’ certification process. Pence also criticized Trump’s rhetoric on January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, endangering lives.
During his own presidential campaign last year, Pence warned against the dangers of populism and signaled his differences with Trump on various issues. He recently announced the launch of Advancing American Freedom, a group dedicated to promoting conservative policies, with a budget of $20 million.
Pence’s decision not to endorse Trump reflects a growing divide within the Republican Party between traditional conservatives and supporters of Trump’s populist agenda. As the 2024 election approaches, Pence’s stance may have significant implications for the GOP’s future direction.
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