Mike Pence has positioned himself as a rare Republican voice openly challenging Trump administration decisions through his advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom. With nearly $1 million spent opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s HHS nomination and active lobbying against labor secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Pence emphasizes “calling balls and strikes” on policies conflicting with traditional conservatism.
His campaign includes:
- Promoting permanent 2017 tax cuts
- Pushing military spending increases
- Advocating deficit reduction
- Opposing tariffs on foreign allies
Pence’s stance marks a dramatic shift from his unwavering loyalty during the Trump presidency, which fractured after the 2020 election dispute.
“To be an anchor to windward... to hold the ship of state on conservative principles,”he stated, invoking Herman Melville to explain his role in resisting populist policy shifts.
The rift gained visibility during Jimmy Carter’s funeral, where Karen Pence’s viral non-reaction to the Trumps underscored lingering tensions. Despite this, Pence insists their differences aren’t personal:
“I’ve long since forgiven the president... but constitutional principles remain non-negotiable.”
With his group preparing pro-life campaigns and fiscal responsibility initiatives, Pence aims to influence 2024 GOP strategies while balancing criticism with selective praise for Trump’s border policy reversals. As one Iowa voter told him:
“I agree with everything you say... but I’ve got to be for Trump this time.”This sentiment highlights the Republican rift between ideological conservatism and Trump-era populism that Pence now navigates.