Washington (AP) – his group spent almost $ 1 million for advertisements that against Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump’s election to lead the country’s health agencies. He keeps speeches who ask the President to stand with long -standing foreign allies and lobby members of the congress while helpers write letters and opinion columns.
This weekend he published an article that he had written about the borders of the presidential power more than a decade ago after Trump claimed: “Whoever saves his country does not violate a law.”
Mike Pence is developing into one of the last Republicans in Washington, who is willing to publicly criticize the recent administration.
For the former Vice President, whose refusal to break with Trump with Trump with Trump, defined her time together in office until the two of Trump’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 elections, and his efforts to remain in the power agree.
Pence and those who work with him to promote American freedom to promote his political interest groups It has been committed to long -term conservative principles that have fallen in favor of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” brand of populism .
“We are calling balls and strikes here,” said Pence of Associated Press.
Pence rejected Kennedy – who has since been confirmed as a secretary for health and human services, due to Kennedy’s earlier comments, the support for abortion rights. His group is now campaigning against Lori Chavez-Deremer, Trump’s election for working secretary, accusing them of being a pro union, and plans to spend the coming months in order to escalate military expenses, to reduce the deficit and lasting tax cuts for In 2017, as it is, they also try to convince Trump not to hit the tariffs on allies.
The AP recently sat down with Pence to discuss his efforts and relationships with Trump – including a closely observed handshake at the funeral of President Jimmy Carter and the lack of reaction of his wife when the 45th and 47th President set.
Here is a copy of this conversation that was easily processed for space and clarity:
Q: What do you see as your role and the role of AAF in the next four years?
Pence: “I think I think I think I think I think in a Herman Melville book a long time ago.”
“The wind blows towards more government. And I think it is a role of conservatives to anchor the party in such a way that they bring the anchor to Winden so that they remain ground and hopefully do a miniature part to keep the principles on the principles. Really shaped movement. ”
“A strong defense against the American leadership of the free world, the limited government, tax responsibility, growth, the right to life, traditional values ​​- these were the values ​​that attracted me to the Republican party. And I still think that they are the timeless ideals of the Lincoln party. And so I would like to contribute my part to use the remains of my bullying pulpit as an advocate of these principles as a former chosen official. ”
Q: How do you choose your battles?
Pence: “Well, for me it is always principles. It’s not personal. I was inauguration last month and was very moved in the expression of warm words and expression of the appreciation of former colleagues, including many members of the recent administration, whom I met in the corridors. And I saw Foreign Minister (Marco) Rubio. I hugged him and told him how proud I was on him. We had praised him from here when he was selected. I must have seen or interacted with about half of the incoming cabinet. “
“We went to the Carterberdigung. And the president and I had a very sultry exchange. You know, he came in front of us in the national cathedral and said: “Hello, Mike.” And I got up, expanded my hand and said: “Congratulations, Mr. President.” And I could see his face softened. And he said, “Thank you.” And Melania stretched out her hand and I said: “Congratulations, Melania.” And it was, you know, the people who know me know that it is not personal. For a long time I forgiven the President for all the differences that we had at the end of our administration. We still have these differences, since the president still has the view that, as far as I know, I had an authority that I did not have in the context of the constitution or the laws of the country. But from my heart I often prayed for the president. “
“To answer your question, I think that the way we want to approach it is with the integrity of the principle. And I am very encouraged. I think the Trump administration has a massive start. I am very cheerful about the president, who reverses the border policy of bidges and brings the guidelines we have negotiated and defined and brings back into harmony that secured the border. But you know that with regard to the nomination of RFK … for me the right to life begins and ends 50 years of forceful pro-life leadership at HHS under Republican administrations. So we thought it was essential to comment. And we have a lot of silent encouragement. “
Q: Silent encouragement?
“Well, we have received a lot of calm encouragement from people who, for some reason, did not feel forced to join us in this choir. But I thought it was an important point for us. And you know we will continue to be a champion. ”
Q: Why are the Republicans hesitating so much to speak publicly?
Pence: “I never speculate about motifs. You know, I’m not recent to the city. I’ve already led lonely battles. ”
“But you know you have to be ready to get out and lead. And I hope that after this fight, as you know, the President has worked on his will. I hope that people have been encouraged when the next edition of life has been encouraged to know that they are not alone. ”
Q: Is there any support in the party to return in the direction that you want to see compared to the populist, Maga Wing of the Party, who is ascendant?
Pence: “Well, now you have hit it. Now you’re there. I don’t think – see, I think some of the prominent voices in the party have accepted more populist thinking. I do not believe that the overwhelming majority of people who ever vote republican think differently than they thought during our administration when we have been canceled a conservative agenda or in previous or since then. “
“Let me give you an anecdote. So I am at a town hall meeting when I run for the President. And at the end of the town hall meeting it was well attended, it was in Iowa-a farmer and he said:” It said it Was a great town hall meeting. You know and I triggered for the attack on October 7 on October 7th. About reforms to put our household house in order and right to live.
And this farmer says to me, he said: “I absolutely agree with everything you said.” So I said: “Well, can I count on your voice?” And he said, “No, I have to be for Trump this time.” And he goes: ‘But we’ll see you in four years. One day you will be a great president. ‘I said, “Would it make something out to tell me, you know why?” And he said words that I have never forgotten what was actually: he complained Biden’s failed recording. And I saw that he was attracted to the necessity of a retirement. And then he said: “You can also do this to me with a former president.” And the stuff of the “law” became a higher relief.
“In this last election, I did not see a Republican party that included the great government or a vision to withdraw from America’s commitments to the world stage or marginalize the right to life. I haven’t seen it all over the country and still haven’t seen it. I think there were other factors that gave the former president a decisive advantage in the election. He deserved it. He had won it. And then he won it in autumn. But I don’t think the party has changed. “
Q: You mentioned the Carterberdigung earlier. Tell me about your wife’s reaction to the Trumps that day.
(At the funeral, the former second Lady Karen Pence refused to recognize the president at the time or Melania Trump’s hands to shake footage, which was ultimately viral online.)
Pence: “My wife loves her husband. And I love my wife and I have great respect for her. And so – but I was really moved about how many people all over the country thanked both of us for this day.
“But here too, you know, I want to emphasize, we are forward. You know, I always thought that the president would be in the position he took on January 6th Book that would be flattered if you do it will read, we actually separated from very inexpensive terms, very good terms. to make it separated.
