WASHINGTON (AP) – His group spent nearly $1 million on ads against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Donald Trump’s Choose to lead the national health agency. He offers a speech urging the president Stand with long-standing foreign allies While lobbying members of Congress, the aides write letters and lines of opinions.
this weekend, He posted an article he wrote more than 10 years ago Later on the limits of the president’s power Trump insisted That said, “Those who save their country do not violate the law.”
Mike Pence As one of Washington’s last Republicans, he is willing to publicly criticize the new administration.
This is particularly jarring for the former vice president who refused to take office with Trump until the two of them dropped out of refusing to accept the outcome of the 2020 election. That’s the role. His efforts to maintain power.
Pence and those who work with him to advance American freedom, his political advocacy group, emphasize that they are never trying to take on the “Trump” mantle. They intended to praise the administration when they agreed to it, but raised concerns when they did not, and became a pro-Trump brand of populism that “make America great again” He is defending the
“We’re calling the ball and the strike here,” Pence told the Associated Press.
Pence opposed Kennedy because of Kennedy’s past comments that expressed support for abortion rights. His group is now against it Lori Chavez DeremerTrump’s choice for the Secretary of Labor, accusing her of being a parent unionand plans to convince Trump to increase military spending, reduce the deficit and make a permanent 2017 tax cut. Don’t slap the customs duties About the allies.
The AP recently sat down with Pence to discuss his efforts and his relationship with Trump. It included a meticulous handshake at President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and a lack of response from his wife when the 45th and 47th presidents sat down.
This transcription of conversation is lightly edited for space and clarity.
Q: What do you think about your role and AAF role over the next four years?
Pence: “To be an anchor to the windward… I came across that line.
“The wind blows in more government directions, and I think it’s the role of conservatives to pin the party. When the wind blows, you turn the anchor towards the wind. You keep the ground and hopefully play a small role, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, you know, I in this movement I really cast my career.”
“The American leaders of the free world, limited government, financial responsibility, growth, rights of life, traditional values, those were the values that attracted me to the Republican Party. And I still think they were the Lincoln Party. I think it’s a timeless ideal of, and even as a former elected official, I use the rest of my bully’s pulpit and become a champion of those principles. I want to do my part.”
Q: How do you choose your battle?
Pence: “Well, for me, it’s always the first principle. It’s not personal. I went to the inauguration last month, and I’ve met in the hallways, and former colleagues, including many members of the new administration. I was very moved by pouring in kind words and expressions of gratitude from him. And I saw Secretary of State (Marco) Rubio. I gave him a hug and how proud I am of him. I told him if he was there, and we were praised him from here when he was chosen. I must have seen and interacted with about half of the cabinets that came in. ”
“We went to Carter’s funeral, and the President and I had a very heartfelt exchange. You know, he came down the line in front of us at the National Cathedral. He said, “Hello, Mike.” And I stood up, reached out and said, “Congratulations, President.” And I could see his expression softened. And he said, “Thank you,” Melania reached out and I said, “Congratulations, Melania.” And that was that people who knew me knew it wasn’t personal. I have forgiven the president for the difference we had at the end of the administration. We still have those differences because the President still has the view that, to my knowledge, I have the authority to say that I did not have under the constitution or law of the country. But from my heart, I prayed frequently for the President. ”
“So, I think the way we want to approach this in answering your question is to have integrity in principle. And I’m very encouraged. The Trump administration has got off to a great start. I think so… I’m very pleased with the President reverting Biden’s border policies and reverting the established policies that we negotiated and secured borders. But you know In regards to the nomination of RFK… For me, it starts and ends with the right to life… I saw the nomination of abortion rights supporters as HHS’s secretary. Under the Republican administration 50 years of strong pro-life leadership at HHS. So we thought it was important to speak out. And we got a lot of quiet encouragement about it.”
Q: Quiet encouragement?
“Well, we got a lot of quiet encouragement from people. It didn’t feel like we weren’t forced to participate in that chorus for any reason. But I think it was us. I thought it was an important point for us, and as you know, we will remain champions.”
Q: Why are Republicans reluctant to speak publicly?
Pence: “I don’t speculate about my motivation. You know, I’m not used to town. I’ve had a lonely battle before.”
“But you know, you need to resign and lead, and my hope is that even if this fight is triggered, the Senate is at its will. The President is to get his choice at HHS. My hope is that when the next issue of life appears, people are encouraged and encouraged to know that they are not alone.”
Q: Does the party have support to go back in the direction they want to see compared to the populist and ascendant Magagwing?
Pence: “Well, you hit it. Now, you’re in it. I’m not thinking – look, I think some of the prominent voices of the party have embraced more populist thinking. What was different to what we thought during our administration was that the overwhelming majority of people who voted for Republicans when we were on a conservative agenda and when we agreed on a few years ago or later. I don’t think I’m thinking about it.”
“One anecdote please. So when I was running for president, I am at the City Hall meeting. And at the end of the City Hall meeting – it was often attended, It was Iowa – the farmer walked over to me and he said, “It was a great town hall meeting. I agree with everything you say,” you know, and I. claimed – this was literally the trigger for the attack on October 7th. And I advocate for strong American support for Israel, strong American leaders around the world, continued support for Ukraine in their fight and limited government, and reforms to organize the finances in orderly and orderly manner. I did.
And this peasant said to me, he said, “I agree with everything you said.” So I said, “Well, can I rely on your vote?” And he said, “No, I’ve become for Trump this time.” And he says. , but I will meet you in 4 years. You will one day become a great president. ” I said, “Would you please tell me, why, why?” And he said something I never forgot, but in reality: he was a record of Biden’s failed mischief. I lamented. And I saw him attracted to the need for a rematch. And he said, “Plus, if they can do it to the former president, they can do it to me.” And the “legal” ones have become a higher relief.
“So in this last election, I didn’t see a Republican who embraced the vision of being pulled back from his commitment to the big government and the world stage, or alienating the right to life. I think it’s a national one. I didn’t see travelling, and I haven’t seen it yet. I think there were other factors that gave the former president the advantages decided in the election. He won it He won it. And he won in the fall. But I don’t think the party has changed.”
Q: I mentioned Carter’s funeral earlier. Tell us about your wife’s reaction to Trump that day.
(At the funeral, former second lady Karen Pence refused to acknowledge the then presidential election or the hand of Sheikh Melania Trump.
Pence: “My wife loves her husband. And I love her wife and I have great respect for her. And – but I have to both of us for the day. I’ve been grateful, but I’ve really moved.
“But again, I want to emphasize. We’re looking here. You know, I always think that the President will be in the position he took on January 6th. If you read the end of my book, you would be flattering if you actually read us, you would actually read us, break up in very friendly terms, very good terms. , When he returned to rhetoric about how I couldn’t allow the Vice President in the spring, neither the constitution nor the law, I just decided it was important to go our separate ways. But hope will forever breeze. And we want to be a constructive force in a conservative agenda. I think that’s good for the administration. That’s good for the Congress. More importantly, it’s good for America.”
