Mike Pence Refuses to Say Who He'll Vote For

Former Vice President Mike Pence refused to say who he is voting for in this year's presidential election when confronted on CBS News' Face The Nation on Sunday.

Pence, who served under the Donald Trump administration, told Fox News on Friday that he would not be endorsing his former political partner in the 2024 presidential election. However, when asked on Sunday if he would vote for Trump, who is the presumed GOP nominee, he evaded the question.

The Context:

Pence, who suspended his own campaign for president in October 2023 after failing to gain significant Republican support, said during a Fox News interview on Friday that he was "proud" of his record with Trump, but "it should come as no surprise" that he would not endorse a second Trump presidency.

"Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years," he said. "And that's why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign."

A pivotal moment in the now-estranged relationship between Trump and Pence was on January 6, 2021. On that day, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to stop the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election win. The riot erupted following claims from Trump that the election was stolen via widespread voter fraud. There is no evidence to support these claims.

Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, had to preside over Congress' certification of the results of the election. Despite Trump claiming to his supporters that Pence had the authority to overturn the election results, he did not. Pence ultimately carried out his duty and Biden's election win was certified.

What We Know:

On Sunday, Pence told Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan: "The fact that the president continues to insist that I had the right to overturn the election that day is a fundamental difference, but I want to be clear, I've forgiven the president in my heart for what happened that day. As a Christian I'm required to do that."

He added: "The issue of fealty to the Constitution is not a small matter but it's not just that. The reason that I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump this year also has to be with the fact that he is walking away...[from] a commitment to fiscal responsibility, a commitment to the sanctity of life, a commitment to American leadership in the world."

"Is that the final word from you? Can you be persuaded, if he changes tacts, to vote for him? Would you vote for him?" Brennan asked.

"I won't be endorsing Donald Trump this year. I respect the right of Republican voters who've made clear who they are for," Pence said. "What I'm gonna focus my energies on is...what we should be for."

Newsweek reached out to Trump's and Biden's campaigns via email for comment.

Views:

Hosts from MSNBC's The Weekend discussed Pence's refusal to endorse Trump on Saturday, pointing out the uncertainty of where Pence's support really lies.

Former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Michael Steele told his co-hosts and guests: "Everybody assumes that means I'm not voting for him—Uh, uh. That's not how that works. So, I think clarity from everybody in this moment is important."

He added: "For me, it's a matter of saying, I'm not endorsing him, I'm standing with Joe Biden."

Pence made it clear during his Fox News' interview on Friday that he would "never vote for Joe Biden."

Host Symone Sanders-Townsend added: "If there are Republicans who are at least unwilling to support Trump, fine, don't support him. But nowhere, did you hear the former vice president use the term, I'm not gonna support him. He said 'I'm not endorsing him' and that is very, very different."

What's Next?

November will likely be a rematch between Trump and Biden, the Democratic incumbent. Democrats have claimed that democracy is on the ballot this year, reminding Americans of January 6 and Trump's alleged role in it. Meanwhile, Republicans have been taking aim about Biden's tenure, complaining about his handling of the economy, which has been on the rise, and the influx of migrants crossing into the United States from the southern border.

Update 3/17/24, 11:29 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update 3/17/24, 11:53 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.