05/31/2026
against President Donald Trump's second administration, warning that the Republican Party has lost its way by departing from time-honoured conservative principles. In a revealing interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker, Pence detailed exactly where the administration is falling short on limited government, free markets, and the sanctity of life.
Key Highlights of the Situation:
• The Reagan Agenda Abandoned: Pence asserted that the current administration has moved away from the foundational conservative agenda of American leadership, less taxes, fewer regulations, and free market economics that defined the party for decades.
• Rebelling Against Economic Interventions: Pence argued that everyday Republican and MAGA voters still hold core conservative beliefs and would naturally reject radical economic ideas such as broad-based tariffs, price controls, and the nationalization of businesses.
• The Fight Over Life: Expressing frustration with current leadership, Pence criticized the administration's desire to relegate abortion to a state-only issue and slammed the pro-abortion secretary of HHS for failing to implement limits on the availability of the abortion pill.
• Outrage Over Anti-Weaponization Fund: Pence took aim at the Justice Department's nearly 1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" intended for people claiming unfair federal targeting, calling the entire concept a bad idea from the start that should be dropped.
• Defending Capitol Police: Pence, who had to be evacuated from the Capitol on Jan 6 while certifying the 2020 election results, stated it is deeply offensive to him, most Republicans, and most Americans that a fund could possibly compensate people who assaulted police or vandalized the Capitol, despite Trump's pardons of roughly 1,500 charged individuals.
• Texas Primary Fallout: Pence connected the party's current direction to the recent Texas Senate primary, where Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated Senator John Cornyn, setting up a high-stakes general election fight against Democrat James Talarico.
• Midterm Predictions: Despite his policy criticisms, Pence predicts Republicans will hold the Senate and have a real shot at the House this fall, arguing that while Republicans lost their way, Democrats have completely lost their mind through political extremism.