WASHINGTON — His organization has invested nearly $1 million in advertisements opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s nominee to head the nation’s health agencies. He is actively giving speeches that urge the president to reaffirm ties with traditional foreign allies and is engaging with members of Congress, while his aides are busy drafting letters and opinion pieces.
Over the weekend, he shared an article he authored over a decade ago that discusses the limitations of presidential authority, in response to Trump’s assertion that, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
Mike Pence is becoming one of the few Republicans in Washington willing to openly critique the new administration.
This new role is particularly striking for the former vice president, whose unwillingness to diverge from Trump characterized their time in office until a rift emerged over Trump’s refusal to accept the 2020 election results and his attempts to cling to power.
Pence and his colleagues at Advancing American Freedom, his political advocacy organization, emphasize that they do not aim to adopt the “Never Trump” label. Their goal is to support the administration when they concur and express concerns when they do not, while championing longstanding conservative principles that have waned as Trump’s “Make America Great Again” populism has gained momentum.
“We’re calling balls and strikes here,” Pence told The Associated Press.
Pence opposed Kennedy—who has since been confirmed as secretary of health and human services—because of Kennedy’s previous statements supporting abortion rights. His organization is currently lobbying against Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s nominee for labor secretary, labeling her as pro-union, and intends to spend the coming months advocating for increased military funding, reducing the deficit, and making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, as well as persuading Trump to cease imposing tariffs on allies.
The AP recently spoke with Pence to discuss his efforts and his relationship with Trump—including a widely scrutinized handshake at President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and his wife’s lack of reaction as the 45th and 47th presidents took their seats.
Here is a transcript of that conversation, lightly edited for brevity and clarity:
Pence: “To be an anchor to windward … I came across that line, I think, in a Herman Melville book a long time ago.”
“The wind blows in the direction of more government. And I think it’s the role of conservatives to anchor the party so that when the wind shifts, you place the anchor to windward to stay grounded and hopefully do a small part in keeping the ship of state aligned with the principles that forged my career in this movement.”
“A strong defense, American leadership in the free world, limited government, fiscal responsibility, growth, the right to life, traditional values—those ideals drew me to the Republican Party. I believe they remain the timeless values of the party of Lincoln. Therefore, I want to play my part, even as a former elected official, using whatever remains of my platform to champion those principles.”
Pence: “For me, principles always come first. It’s never personal. I attended the inauguration last month and was genuinely touched by the generous remarks and expressions of appreciation from former colleagues, including many members of the new administration I encountered in the hallways. I saw Secretary of State (Marco) Rubio, hugged him, and expressed my pride in him. I must have interacted with about half the incoming Cabinet.”
“At the Carter funeral, the president and I had a very cordial exchange. He was walking down the aisle in front of us at the National Cathedral, said, ‘Hi, Mike.’ I stood up, extended my hand, and said, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President.’ I sensed his tone softening. He replied, ‘Thanks.’ I then congratulated Melania, and it was: people who know me understand it’s not personal. I’ve long forgiven the president for any differences we had at the end of our administration. Despite our differing views—he maintains that I had some authority under the Constitution that I did not possess—I’ve prayed for him sincerely.”
“In addressing your question, I believe we should approach this with integrity and principle. I’m encouraged; I feel the Trump administration is off to a solid start… I’m pleased with the president’s reversal of Biden’s border policies, reinstating the agreements and strategies we established that secured the border. Regarding the nomination of RFK … it hinges entirely on the right to life … I perceived the nomination of a pro-abortion rights advocate as a significant divergence from 50 years of steadfast pro-life leadership at HHS under Republican administrations. Therefore, we thought it was vital to voice our concerns. We received substantial quiet support regarding this.”
“While many provided us with silent encouragement, for various reasons, they didn’t feel inclined to join our cause publicly. Nevertheless, I believe it was paramount to articulate that stance. We will persist in championing our principles.”
Pence: “I never indulge in speculations about motives. I’m familiar with this environment. I’ve fought solitary battles in the past.”
“One must be ready to lead. I hope that following this confrontation, and with the Senate having made its decision, the president will receive his choice for HHS. My aspiration is that when the next life-related issue arises, individuals will feel inspired and empowered to understand they aren’t facing these challenges alone.”
Pence: “Now you’re onto something. Some prominent voices in the party have adopted a more populist approach. However, I don’t believe an overwhelming majority of Republican voters diverge from the mindset they held during our administration, when we adhered to a conservative agenda, or in the years before or after.”
“Let me share an anecdote. I attended a town hall meeting while running for president, which was well-attended in Iowa. Afterward, a farmer approached me and said, ‘It was a fantastic town hall meeting. I agree with everything you said.’ My argument at that time called for strong American support for Israel, asserted America’s leadership on the global stage, supported Ukraine’s struggle, and emphasized limited government and the right to life.”
“This farmer then said to me, ‘I agree with absolutely everything you articulated.’ So I asked, ‘Can I count on your vote?’ He replied, ‘No, I have to support Trump this time.’ However, he added, ‘I’ll see you in four years. You’re destined to be a great president someday.’ I asked him, ‘Why?’ His response was memorable—he lamented Biden’s poor track record and expressed a desire for a rematch. He also mentioned, ‘If they can do that to a former president, they can do that to me,’ indicating that the ‘lawfare’ situation had come into sharper focus for him.”
“In this past election, I didn’t observe a Republican Party that embraced big government or a withdrawal from our commitments on the global stage or marginalized the right to life. I did not notice that during my travels across the nation. I still don’t see such trends. Other factors contributed to giving the former president a significant edge in the election. He earned it. He achieved victory, and then he secured it in the fall. Nevertheless, I don’t believe the party has shifted.”
(At the funeral, former Second Lady Karen Pence declined to acknowledge the then-President-elect or shake Melania Trump’s hand—a moment that became viral online.)
Pence: “My wife cares for her husband, and I cherish my wife, holding great respect for her. I’ve been deeply moved by the number of people nationwide who have expressed gratitude to both of us for that day.
“However, I want to emphasize, we are looking ahead. I always believed the president would reconsider his position on January 6th. If you read the conclusion of my book, which I’d appreciate if you did, you’ll find that we parted ways on amicable terms. However, in the spring, as he reverted to the rhetoric suggesting that I could have done something unconstitutional during our administration, I felt it was vital for us to go our separate ways. Yet I remain optimistic. We aspire to be a constructive force for the conservative agenda, which I believe is beneficial for the administration, the Congress, and ultimately for America.”
