He is refusing to do this.
On Friday, Mike Pence made it clear that he would not be throwing his support behind former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential race. This declaration comes after Pence himself concluded his own presidential aspirations earlier.
In an interview with Fox News, Pence articulated his decision, stating, “It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year.” He cited fundamental discrepancies between Trump’s current agenda and the conservative platform they governed upon during their tenure. Pence emphasized that his inability to endorse Trump stems from these ideological disparities.
Pence highlighted several points of contention, including differences in views on the national debt, abortion rights, and Trump’s stance on legislation involving TikTok’s sale, a company owned by China-based ByteDance.
Despite Pence’s stance, a response from Trump’s camp was not immediately available.
Trump has faced criticism for his nuanced stance on abortion, with some pro-life advocates expressing disappointment in his failure to fully support a federal abortion ban. He further drew attention by touting his role in influencing the overturning of Roe v. Wade, despite his earlier wavering on the issue.
Recently, Trump also shifted his position on TikTok-related legislation, opting against a ban due to his perception of the platform’s popularity.
During Pence’s presidential campaign, he voiced concerns about Trump’s departure from conservative principles, including the right to life and fiscal responsibility, likening Trump’s approach to that of Joe Biden.
While several former rivals have endorsed Trump, others, like Nikki Haley and Chris Christie, have refrained from doing so. This divide within the Republican Party underscores differing perspectives on Trump’s suitability for leadership.
Pence’s remarks were seized upon by President Biden’s reelection campaign, which highlighted Pence’s dissent alongside other former senior officials from Trump’s administration, signaling broader concerns about Trump’s leadership qualities.
