Former US Vice President Mike Pence has officially announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, accusing former President Donald Trump of betraying the US constitution.
On Wednesday, the former Indiana governor and congressman formally announced his campaign, stating that “different times call for different leadership.”
Pence, the latest Republican to declare his candidacy, portrayed the election as a war for the United States, which is “in trouble” under President Joe Biden’s administration, at a speech in Ankeny, Iowa.
“We can defend our liberties and give America a new beginning for life. But it will require new leadership — in the White House and the Republican Party,” the former vice president said.
In his speech, Pence chastised Donald Trump for his “reckless” actions on January 6, 2021, took a swipe at Joe Biden while singling out “enemies of freedom” around the world, naming Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and China’s president, Xi Jinping, in the video.
Pence is the first vice president in modern history to challenge the president under whom he served. He argued that Trump had encouraged the mob that attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and had incorrectly asserted that Pence had the power to overturn the election result.
“The American people deserve to know that on that day, President Trump also demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. Now, voters will be faced with the same choice. I chose the Constitution and I always will,” Pence said.
Without mentioning Trump, Pence stated that “anyone” who would reject the Constitution or elevate themselves above it should “never” be president, and that Trump’s conduct on January 6 should disqualify him from re-election.
Pence also claimed that Trump had no strategy to handle the country’s long-term debt, inflation, and spending problems, and that he has backed away from his support for abortion restrictions.
Furthermore, Pence’s harshest critique of Trump came when he was challenged about the US role in assisting Ukraine in repelling Russia’s military assault.
Much of his address centered on his disputes with Trump, but he also emphasized his own conservative views, such as his long-standing support for abortion limits, downsizing the federal government, and border issues.
Pence, on the other hand, indicated in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday that he will “absolutely support the Republican nominee,” even if it is Trump.
Trump is leading the polls among GOP voters, with Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, now trailing about 30 percentage points behind him. Pence has consistently polled third, in the single digits.
Eight Republican candidates have officially joined the race.
