Former US Vice President Mike Pence is running for president of the United States. The Republican filed the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Monday to run for his party’s nomination in the 2024 election. The official announcement is expected this Wednesday. The 63-year-old also challenges ex-boss Donald Trump (76), who wants to participate again after his defeat in 2020. Pence was his deputy from 2017 to 2021. However, he eventually became targeted by Trump supporters. When the Capitol was stormed, he had to be taken to safety even from them.
With his application, Pence expands the field of Republican aspirants. They also include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. The Republicans select their candidates in an internal party election. US President Joe Biden is running for re-election by the Democrats. As an incumbent, he is unlikely to face serious intra-party competition during the election campaign.
Pence’s decision was expected. In mid-November, he made it clear in a TV interview that he was considering running for office. At that point, he was already ready to take on Trump. Ultimately, the American people must decide whether Trump can run for president again, Pence said. But he thinks there are better alternatives. Pence is far behind in polls, Trump is clearly leading the way in Republican candidates.
Pence sees himself as a “classic conservative” who wants to return the Republican Party to its roots. The evangelical Christian supports a nationwide ban on abortion and promoting free trade is important to him. He does little against the loud populist tones in his party.
Pence appeared as a loyal companion of Trump for many years. The fact that the president-elect in Washington on the day of the storming of the US Capitol incited his supporters against his deputy has permanently damaged the relationship between the two. Trump supporters stormed the congressional seat on January 6, 2021, while Pence sat in the seat to confirm Democrat Biden’s victory. The shouts of “Hang Pence” came from the crowd.
Trump had also claimed in the days before that Pence could simply reject individual states’ election results, which legal experts and the vice president considered illegal. During the storm at the Capitol, Trump tweeted that Pence “didn’t have the courage to do what needed to be done.” After the attack ended, Congress, chaired by Pence, completed confirmation of Biden’s victory. Pence described Trump’s statements at the time and his behavior as dangerous.
Recently, Pence was soft again about his former boss. For example, he dismissed charges against Trump for his role in storming the Capitol. “It would be incredibly divisive in a country at a time when the American people want to see us healed,” Pence said. Pence defended Trump against charges of paying a porn star hush money using the same line of reasoning. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
