In a surprising turn of events, former Vice President Mike Pence has publicly stated that he cannot support former President Donald Trump in the 2024 general elections, citing a misalignment of values and agendas. This bold statement marks a significant break from his former running mate with whom he served for four years.
During a conversation on Fox News, Pence expressed that he cannot have a “clear conscience” if he supports Trump, noting that the former president has strayed from conservative issues such as abortion, the national debt, and his stance on China. Pence emphasized that he made it clear during his own presidential campaign that he and Trump had deep differences on various issues, including the events of January 6.
While Pence refrained from revealing who he will vote for in the upcoming election, he made it clear that he will not support President Joe Biden and will not endorse a third-party candidate. Pence’s decision to distance himself from Trump comes after he made the controversial choice not to recognize the results of the 2020 election, which eventually led to the violent storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters.
Despite the break from Trump, Pence and his group, Advancing American Freedom, recently announced a $20 million investment to advance conservative policies. It remains to be seen how this public divergence from Trump will impact Pence’s future political endeavors.