Former Vice President Mike Pence discusses the importance of conservative principles in the GOP, asserting that while Trump has influenced the party, its core values remain unchanged.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has articulated his commitment to preserving conservative principles within the Republican Party amid a rising tide of populism. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Pence expressed that his current mission is “the calling of my life right now,” especially as he prepares to release a new book focused on the conservative agenda.
Pence contends that the narrative suggesting Donald Trump has fundamentally transformed the Republican Party is overstated. “I’m convinced that while President Trump has changed some aspects of the agenda of the Republican Party, he hasn’t really changed the Republican Party,” he stated. This assertion comes as he gears up for the publication of his book, which aims to promote traditional conservative values.
During the interview, conducted in his Washington, D.C., office at Advancing American Freedom, a policy and advocacy organization he leads, Pence emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, traditional values, strong defense, and American leadership. He aims to ensure that these principles remain at the forefront of the party’s agenda.
Pence, who served as a congressman and Indiana governor before becoming vice president, has been vocal about his differences with Trump, particularly following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Despite their past collaboration, he has raised concerns about the direction of Trump’s second administration.
While he acknowledged some accomplishments of the Trump administration, such as securing the U.S. border and maintaining tax cuts, Pence criticized the embrace of “big government” solutions, including price controls on pharmaceuticals and a trend toward nationalization. He expressed hope that Trump’s advisors would remind the president of the conservative agenda that led to prosperity during their administration.
Pence also highlighted what he perceives as troubling trends within the Republican Party, including protectionism and isolationism. He warned against voices of antisemitism that have emerged, asserting that these do not reflect true conservative beliefs. “I think that the on the fringe and on the margins, voices of antisemitism in the party all need to be confronted,” he stated.
However, some Republicans disagree with Pence’s assessment. Veteran GOP strategist Ryan Williams argued that Trump has significantly altered the party’s makeup and focus. “Donald Trump has tremendously altered the make-up of the Republican Party and the issues that it focuses on,” Williams remarked, suggesting that the party’s trajectory has shifted irreversibly.
Despite not seeking to revert the party to its pre-Trump identity, Pence aims to remind Republicans of their foundational beliefs, including a commitment to national defense, free-market economics, and traditional values. “It’s been those principles that have guided our party for more than a half a century and have been to the betterment of the American people,” he noted.
As the Republican Party faces challenging political dynamics, including the historical trend of losing seats in midterm elections and ongoing economic concerns, Pence remains optimistic about the potential for a conservative platform to resonate with voters. He believes that advocating for conservative values is not only essential for American prosperity but also represents a winning strategy.
His upcoming book, titled “What Conservatives Believe: Rediscovering the Conservative Conscience,” is set to be released in June and is expected to bolster his efforts to promote conservative principles within the party.
Pence’s own political journey has been marked by his traditional conservative platform, particularly during his bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. He positioned himself against what he termed the rise of populism within the party, although his campaign struggled to gain traction, leading him to suspend his efforts after just four and a half months.
Reflecting on his campaign, Pence noted, “It was clear to me that there’s a portion of the Republican Party today that’s being drawn aside by the siren song of populism unmoored to conservative principles.” He reaffirmed his commitment to championing conservative values through his foundation, Advancing American Freedom.
When asked about the possibility of another presidential run, Pence did not dismiss the idea but emphasized that his focus remains on the issues and values that initially attracted him to the Republican Party. “For me, for my family, it really is all about the issues and values that first drew me to the Republican Party,” he said. “Those are conservative values. And reminding our party and sharing with people across the country what conservatives believe and why it will make America stronger and more prosperous is really the calling of my time,” he concluded.
According to Fox News, Pence’s ongoing efforts reflect a broader struggle within the Republican Party to reconcile traditional conservative values with the populist trends that have emerged in recent years.