Former Vice President Mike Pence stated on NBC News' 'Meet the Press' that President Donald Trump's second administration has strayed from traditional conservative principles. Pence, who served as Trump's vice president from 2017 to 2021, expressed concerns that the administration is no longer committed to the conservative agenda historically associated with the Republican Party. He acknowledged Trump's popularity among Republican voters but emphasized the need for the GOP to adhere to core conservative values, including limited government and free market economics.
Pence criticized the Trump administration for its handling of abortion rights, specifically mentioning the availability of abortion pills. He suggested that the values of Trump's administration could impact the Republican Party's performance in the upcoming midterm elections, attributing potential successes to perceived extremism within the Democratic Party.
Additionally, Pence expressed opposition to the Justice Department's 'anti-weaponization fund,' which could provide compensation to individuals who feel unfairly targeted by the government, particularly in relation to the January 6 Capitol riot. He described the idea of compensating individuals charged with assaulting police officers during the riot as 'deeply offensive' and indicated that this sentiment is shared by many Republicans and Americans.
