Former Vice President Pence warned in a new essay that the conservative motion is being threatened by what he describes as “populist fervor” and the “transformation into the anti-woke motion.”
“An existential identification disaster now grips the American proper,” Pence wrote in the essay, which was co-authored by a founding father of the Heritage Basis conservative assume tank. “A political motion as soon as united by a dedication to restricted authorities, ethical order, and a strong protection of American beliefs now seems fractured, its function clouded by populist grievances and ideological drift.”
“The query for in the present day’s conservatives is obvious: Will we stay a celebration of tolerating ideas, or will we succumb to populism unmoored from conservative beliefs?” he added.
Pence, whose relationship with President Trump crumbled after the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, didn’t determine Trump because the drive behind his grievances with the present state of conservatism, however he detailed a number of problems with concern that resemble insurance policies of the second Trump presidency.
He wrote within the 4,200-word piece in opposition to adopting common baseline tariff insurance policies, lessening assist for Ukraine, focusing an excessive amount of on anti-woke endeavors and utilizing “authorities energy to steer company conduct.”
Trump adopted a baseline tariff strategy in April that utilized to most international locations together with American allies; repeatedly questioned assist for Ukraine; and pressured companies to drop variety, fairness and inclusion insurance policies and since his return to the White Home in January.
Pence framed every of these points as populist priorities that aren’t rooted in conservatism.
“Populist insurance policies that search to dismantle perceived enemies with out regard for long-term penalties danger undermining the very order they declare to advocate,” he wrote. “Whether or not or not it’s tariffs that alienate allies, regulatory overreach for the sake of punishing progressive corporations, or isolationism that leaves the world’s despots unchecked, these approaches are the antithesis of … cautious, measured conservatism.”
Pence took goal within the article on the “Democratic Get together’s efforts to banish frequent sense,” however he argued that the response has led the precise astray from its conservative ideas.
“Although delicate at first, the implications of the conservative motion’s transformation into the anti-woke motion have steadily accrued,” he wrote. “By the point Donald Trump received his second time period, a lot post-election evaluation accurately framed his victory not as a triumph of conservative beliefs, however as a mere repudiation of a decadent and debauched Democratic Get together.”
“Whereas such opposition can entice allies and may even win elections when Republicans are out of energy, it can’t function a motion’s ethical basis. Conservatism can’t be outlined solely by what it is not,” he added.
The White Home rejected the characterizations in Pence’s piece.
“President Trump’s dominance within the GOP major and basic election is proof that People have firmly embraced the America First motion and resoundingly rejected the profession politicians who’ve devastated Primary Road prosperity, unleashed world chaos, corrupted our establishments and eroded our values,” White Home spokesperson Kush Desai mentioned in a press release to The Hill.
Pence, who has himself lambasted “woke-ism” in speeches since leaving workplace, briefly sought the GOP presidential nomination in 2024 however gained little traction earlier than dropping out of the race.
The previous Indiana governor said in an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” final month that he doubted he would run for the White Home once more however would advocate for “conservative values.”
“I wish to be a voice for the insurance policies and liberties enshrined within the Structure of the USA,” Pence mentioned. “I wish to be a champion of the conservative trigger, and that’s the place I’ll keep targeted, and we’ll let the longer term maintain itself.”