Pence ‘cannot in good conscience’ endorse Trump

Former Vice President Mike Pence has made a significant decision: he will not endorse his former boss, Donald Trump, in the 2024 general election. Speaking on Fox News, Pence stated that he “cannot in good conscience” support Trump due to profound differences between their views on various issues ¹ ².

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/15/politics/pence-will-not-endorse-trump/index.html

This move is remarkable, considering their history as running mates and the time they spent serving together. Pence, who ended his own presidential bid last October, had previously committed to supporting the eventual Republican nominee. However, his recent statement makes it clear that he cannot align with Trump’s current agenda ¹.

In the complex world of politics, loyalty and endorsements can be delicate matters. Trump, in response to Pence’s withdrawal from the race, had urged him to endorse, emphasizing their past association: “I chose him, made him vice president. But … people in politics can be very disloyal” ¹. The dynamics between politicians can indeed be intricate and unpredictable.

Pence Putin — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, right, speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 13th East Asian Summit Plenary on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN summit in Singapore, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Yong Teck Lim)

Pence’s concerns revolve around Trump’s evolving positions. He highlights Trump’s departure from their shared commitment to conservative principles. Specifically, Pence points to Trump’s stance on abortion, the national debt, and his recent reversal on TikTok². These deviations have led Pence to withhold his endorsement.

Interestingly, Pence remains tight-lipped about his own voting choice for the upcoming election. While he won’t back President Joe Biden, he also rules out supporting a third-party candidate ². His decision not to overturn the 2020 election results, despite pressure from Trump, further underscores their divergent paths ².

In his own presidential campaign, Pence cautioned fellow Republicans about the allure of populism, a warning that resonates even now as he distances himself from Trump’s political trajectory ². Politics, it seems, continues to be a complex dance of principles, loyalties, and individual convictions.