Former Vice President Mike Pence has criticized the second administration of President Donald Trump, arguing that it has moved away from the conservative values that have long defined the Republican Party.
Speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, Pence said the administration has “departed” from the agenda that guided Republicans for decades, citing principles such as limited government, free-market economics, American leadership, and pro-life policies.
Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president from 2017 to 2021, acknowledged that Trump has supported some conservative priorities over the years. However, he expressed concern that the administration’s current direction differs from the traditional platform championed by Republicans since the era of Ronald Reagan.
Despite those concerns, Pence recognized Trump’s continued popularity within the Republican Party.
“I don’t think there’s any question about the president’s popularity,” Pence said, crediting Trump for maintaining a strong connection with Republican voters.
The former vice president argued that most Republican voters still embrace longstanding conservative ideals, including personal freedom, limited government, and traditional values. He predicted that candidates who emphasize those principles in upcoming elections, including the 2028 presidential race, would attract broad support from GOP voters.
Pence was especially critical of the Justice Department’s proposed “anti-weaponization fund,” which could distribute nearly $1.8 billion to individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted by the federal government. A federal judge recently issued a temporary block on the program.
Calling the initiative a mistake, Pence urged the administration to abandon the proposal altogether.
He said the possibility that individuals convicted for their actions during the January 6 United States Capitol attack could receive compensation was “deeply offensive.” Trump previously pardoned approximately 1,500 people charged in connection with the Capitol riot after returning to office.
Pence, who was overseeing the certification of the 2020 presidential election results when the riot occurred and was evacuated from the Capitol during the violence, said he believes opposition to the fund extends beyond political lines.
According to Pence, many Republicans and Americans would object to taxpayer money being used to compensate individuals who assaulted law enforcement officers or damaged government property during the attack.
The remarks underscore continuing divisions within the Republican Party over Trump’s leadership and the future direction of conservative politics in the United States.