Washington, D.C. — Former Vice President Mike Pence Breaks Silence concerns over former President Donald Trump’s economic and foreign policy decisions during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, aired Sunday. While offering general praise for Trump’s earlier term, Pence highlighted recent shifts in policy, particularly around tariffs and international relations.
Pence specifically criticized Trump’s recent tariff proposals, calling them a potential burden on American families. “The initial reciprocal tariffs that he unveiled would be the largest peacetime tax hike on the American people in the history of this country,” Pence told moderator Kristen Welker.
Trump had announced sweeping tariffs on several major U.S. trading partners in early April. However, within days, he paused most of them, a decision Pence welcomed. “I’m glad to see that movie,” he said on Friday.
During the wide-ranging interview, Pence also acknowledged several achievements from Trump’s first term, including actions on border security and military strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. He credited the Trump administration for having “historically secured the southern border.”
Still, Pence expressed disappointment over some recent policy directions. He noted what he called a “departure” from earlier administration values both at home and abroad. In particular, he criticized the Trump team’s “wavering support” for Ukraine during the early months of the second term and raised concerns over discussions related to a possible nuclear deal with Iran.
Mike Pence Breaks Silence emphasized that the proposed trade policy, which could impose tariffs on most nations, risks raising prices for American consumers. “That’s very different from how our administration operated,” he said.
The remarks underscore a growing divide between Pence and Trump as the former vice president continues to observe developments from outside the administration.
Pence Warns Trump’s Tariff Plans Could Harm U.S. Consumers and Jobs
Former Vice President Mike Pence has raised fresh concerns about former President Donald Trump’s current approach to tariffs and trade policy, warning that a shift toward baseline tariffs could damage the U.S. economy.
In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Pence explained that while tariffs were once used strategically during Trump’s first term, the former president now appears to support a broader use of tariffs that may backfire.
“We very much used the threat of tariffs as leverage for negotiations,” Pence told moderator Kristen Welker. “What I see in this administration is a steady drive toward a baseline of maybe even 10% tariffs that I think would be harmful to jobs in America. It would be harmful to consumers in America.”
Pence also challenged one of Trump’s frequent claims — that foreign countries pay tariffs. “As the president has said to me many times, he has a sense that other countries pay tariffs,” Pence said. “When the reality is, when Americans buy goods overseas, the company that imports those goods in this country pays the tariff, and more often than not passes that along in higher prices to consumers.”
He revealed that while he often expressed his disagreements with Trump in private, he believes current advisors, including Vice President JD Vance, should do the same.
“I took the opportunity in the right settings, private moments, to share with him those times when we differed on issues,” Pence said. “And my hope is, whether it’s the vice president or others, that there are those voices around the president that do the same.”
When asked about Vice President Pence’s performance, Pence declined to offer detailed criticism, simply calling him “an honorable man” and saying, “I would have a hard time assessing that precisely.”
Pence also reflected on his own time as vice president, acknowledging he likely opposed some of Trump’s tariffs during the first term, but did so behind closed doors.
“I probably did in the hallways, but the president gets to make the decision,” Pence admitted. “When you’re vice president of the United States, my view is always this: I’d favor the president, with the full range of my opinion in private. And then when he made the decision, my job was to support his decision, absent some higher calling or higher obligation.”
Earlier in the interview, Pence spoke about his relationship with Trump, describing the former president as a friend, despite the tension that developed after Pence refused to support Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results on January 6, 2021.
“President Trump was not just my president. He was my friend,” Pence said.
Pence Criticizes Trump’s Foreign Policy Stance and Rejects Jan. 6 Pardons
Former Vice President Mike Pence voiced serious concerns over former President Donald Trump’s current foreign policy direction, including possible ties with foreign governments and shifting positions on Iran and Russia.
In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Pence said it would be “a bad idea” for Trump to accept a private plane as a gift from the Qatari royal family, amid reports that the former president may do so. He also criticized Trump’s recent speech in Saudi Arabia, suggesting it sent the wrong message about U.S. leadership abroad.
Pence was especially critical of ongoing U.S. efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran. While he expressed appreciation that Trump has reaffirmed a policy of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, Pence warned against any leniency.
“We should make it clear in negotiations with Iran that their current nuclear program must be either dismantled or destroyed,” he said, warning that allowing Iran to enrich uranium would resemble the Iran nuclear deal brokered during the Obama administration, a deal the Trump administration withdrew from in 2018.
Also Read: Trump’s Gulf Fascination: What It Reveals About His Vision for America
“I am grateful that President Trump has reiterated the policy of our administration… But when I hear talk about allowing Iran to have an enrichment program at a certain level, it sounds for all the world like President Obama’s Iran nuclear deal,” Pence added. “We must make it clear to them that America is not bluffing.”
Asked whether military action should be considered to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Pence responded, “Of course. I think all options should be on the table.”
The former vice president also said the U.S. should consider imposing additional sanctions on Russia as the war in Ukraine continues. While the current administration has hesitated to do so out of concern that it could harm peace talks, Pence argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin only responds to power.
“I’ve met Vladimir Putin. My judgment is Vladimir Putin only understands strength,” Pence said.
Pence Rejects Blanket Pardons for Jan. 6 Rioters
During the interview, Mike Pence Breaks Silence was also asked about the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riot and Trump’s decision to issue a blanket pardon for those facing charges.
Pence made it clear he disagrees with that move. “Individuals who broke into the Capitol, who assaulted police officers, I said that day and I believe to this moment should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
However, he did distinguish between peaceful protesters and violent rioters. “There were people who just walked through an open door, meant no harm, did not harm,” he said. “But others committed serious crimes, and justice should be served.”
Reflecting on his actions during the January 6 vote certification, Pence said, “I will always believe by God’s grace I did my duty that day to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and see to the peaceful transfer of power.”
Pence downplayed the idea when asked about a future presidential run, saying, “I don’t see that in my future.” He had launched a 2023 presidential bid but withdrew after failing to gain momentum within the Republican Party.
