Former Vice President Mike Pence has reaffirmed his stance on whether he will support his former 2016 running mate and ex-President Donald Trump during the upcoming election cycle. After briefly entering the 2024 GOP presidential nomination race, Pence announced that he would be withholding his endorsement for Trump, citing concerns over the former president’s perceived lack of conservative principles.
Pence’s relationship with Trump soured following the January 6 riots when the then-president criticized him for not returning disputed electoral slates to state legislatures in his capacity as President of the Senate. Pence has remarked that this decision should not come as a surprise, stating: “It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year. I’m incredibly proud of the record of our administration.
Pence elaborated on his reasons for withholding support, claiming that Trump’s policies were not conservative enough, particularly in terms of fiscal responsibility and protection of human life. The former VP also highlighted recent statements made by Trump regarding China and TikTok as evidence of a significant shift from his previously strong opposition to the Chinese-controlled social media platform during his tenure as president.
Instead of endorsing Trump, Pence announced that he would be focusing on promoting mainstream conservative values in an attempt to unite the GOP around a common agenda. He also disclosed plans for launching a $10 million campaign aimed at extending the Trump-era tax cuts set to expire in 2025. This move is intended to encourage conservatives to remain active in the political process until the November election.
Advancing American Freedom, an organization led by Pence, released a 13-page plan outlining its case for maintaining the tax cuts and urging conservative lawmakers and voters in key states to join the effort. The group is particularly focused on ensuring that the tax policies remain in place until at least 2025 when the White House and Congress must decide whether to make changes or keep the tax code as it was during Trump’s presidency.
Pence has emphasized that maintaining low taxes is essential for fostering economic growth and reducing the national debt, stating: “Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.” He further argued that raising taxes on individuals is not the solution to America’s fiscal challenges.
As Congress begins to discreetly work on tax policy ahead of next year’s session, it remains uncertain whether Pence’s efforts to extend the Trump-era tax cuts will succeed or if the policies will expire in 2025 as originally planned. The outcome could have significant implications for both the American economy and the political landscape leading up to the November election.
