Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized “Putin apologists” in the Republican Party and commented on the gap between traditional conservatives and partially populist candidates donald trump
What happened: Pence said as he spoke inheritance on Wednesday in Washington: “I believe that the conservatives must make it clear that Putin has to stop and that Putin will pay.” reported Associated Press.
“There must be no place for Putin apologists in the conservative movement. There is only room for freedom fighters in this movement,” said the former US vice president.
Ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in November, he warned against populism, saying the conservative movement must not be “led astray by the siren song of unprincipled populism,” according to the press.
Why it matters: Pence’s speech largely focused on the conservative “freedom agenda” he published earlier in the year, which the AP said was a concrete policy plan for Republicans and implicit criticism of Trump.
At a later event Georgetown UniversityPence was asked if he would vote for Trump. He said: “Well, there might be someone else I’d prefer more” – adding: “I’ll keep you posted,” according to the report.
In August it was reported that Pence was ready to testify before the January 6 committee investigating the Capitol riot. He said at the time it was “quite well known” that he and Trump had their differences.
The differences arose after Pence opposed Trump’s plan block the certification of the President yeah Bidens election victory.
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