.Mike_Pence walked a tightrope during his first day as a declared presidential candidate, touting accomplishments as Donald Trump's running mate while differentiating himself on key issues.
Pence strongly implied Trump wasn't fit for reelection during a campaign launch earlier Wednesday and then followed up with more critiques of Trump on entitlement reform, immigration, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a CNN town hall.Notably, Pence broke from Trump when he stated he wouldn't reinstate a controversial Trump-era migrant policy that separated children from parents at the border.
The former vice president also said Trump's views on Social Security are similar to President Joe Biden's in his refusal to cut benefits. On the Ukraine war with Putin, Pence was unequivocal."When Vladimir Putin rolled into Ukraine, the former president called him a genius. I know the difference between a genius and a war criminal," said the former vice president in a rebuke to Trump, who wouldn't say if he wanted Ukraine to win the war during last month's town hall."And I know who needs to win in the war in Ukraine.
CNN host Dana Bash questioned Pence's commitment to supporting the nominee even if it's Trump, who has a commanding lead over all other 2024 GOP hopefuls according to polling. Pence continues to poll in the single digits like most other candidates except for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Trump."Well, because I don't think Donald Trump's going to be the nominee," Pence quipped.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mike Pence: Donald Trump Should Never Be President Again—But I Could Still Support HimDuring his campaign kickoff address Wednesday, Mike Pence made cutting comments about Donald Trump. And yet, not long after, Pence said that he would support the Republican nominee—which could very well be the former president.
Read more »
Mike Pence announces he's challenging Donald Trump in 2024 presidential raceJUST IN: Former Vice Pres. Mike Pence announces in a video that he is running for president against his former boss—Donald Trump—because, he says, 'Different times call for different leadership.'
Read more »
Mike Pence, kicking off 2024 campaign, suggests Trump can 'never' be president againWhile former Vice Pres. Pence touted his time serving in the Trump administration — 'together we cut taxes, destroyed ISIS, stood by our allies, stood up to our foes' — he also again sought to stress his differences with Trump over Jan. 6.
Read more »
Mike Pence refuses to say whether he would pardon Trump if elected presidentFormer Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday refused to say whether if elected president in 2024 he would pardon former President Donald Trump should he be convicted of a crime. “I don&8217…
Read more »
Former President Donald Trump's legal issues continue to compoundAn investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents took another step Tuesday as a grand jury reconvened to hear evidence.
Read more »
Pence opens presidential bid with denunciation of Trump over Jan. 6 insurrection and abortionMike Pence has opened his presidential bid with an unusually forceful denunciation of former President Donald Trump over Jan. 6, Trump's temperament and abortion. Pence told an audience in a Des Moines, Iowa, suburb on Wednesday, “Anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president again.” And he accused Trump of abandoning conservative principles, particularly on abortion. Pence is the first vice president in modern history to challenge his former running mate. Trump leads the GOP 2024 presidential field in early polls.
Read more »