Mike Pence says Trump ‘hasn’t changed’ GOP, warns party straying from conservative values

WASHINGTON, DC: Former Vice President Mike Pence has argued that while President Donald Trump altered certain elements of the Republican agenda, he did not fundamentally transform the Republican Party, warning instead that it is straying from core conservative principles.

Speaking in an interview on Sunday, March 22, Pence emphasized his ongoing mission to defend traditional conservative values amid rising populism, framing this effort as central to his current political focus.

Mike Pence on Trump and the Republican Party’s direction

Pence stated that although Trump “changed some aspects of the agenda,” the Republican Party itself remains rooted in longstanding conservative beliefs. He rejected the idea, adding, "he hasn't really changed the Republican Party."

He emphasized, "And reminding people that Republicans believe in a strong national defense, American leadership in the world. We believe in free market economics and limited fiscally responsible government."

Pence continued, "We believe in the right to life and traditional values and that it's been those principles that have guided our party for more than a half a century and have been to the betterment of the American people." 

Pence also acknowledged some achievements of Trump’s second administration, "I've been very proud of the fact of what this administration accomplished in securing our border. I was pleased that the administration turned aside from those that were talking about raising taxes on top marginal earners. They extended all the Trump-Pence tax cuts."

However, he criticized aspects of the administration, pointing to what he described as a shift toward “big government programs,” including price controls, intervention in private companies, and trends toward nationalization.

He also raised concerns about the marginalization of "pro-life policies" and the "issue of mail-order abortion pills."

Internal GOP tensions and Mike Pence’s broader message

Pence warned that the Republican Party is facing internal challenges, "We've seen protectionism show itself in unilateral tariffs that the Supreme Court of the United States recently turned back. We've seen some voices of isolationism that question our support for Israel, that would leave allies like Ukraine to fend for themselves."

He further added, "I think that on the fringe and on the margins, voices of antisemitism in the party all need to be confronted, because none of those things represent what conservatives believe."

Despite Pence’s stance, not all Republicans share his view. GOP strategist Ryan Williams argued that Trump has, in fact, brought about substantial changes to both the party’s makeup and its policy priorities.

Williams emphasized that Trump "has altered the voter base of the Republican Party" and taken "the values and trajectory of this party in a different direction... It’s never going back to the way it was before."

Republicans are facing significant political challenges, as the party holding power typically loses seats during midterm elections. These difficulties are compounded by an unfavorable political environment shaped by economic concerns, ongoing inflation, and Trump’s military intervention in Iran.

However, Pence maintained that advancing a conservative platform is "not only a pathway toward American prosperity and the vitality of freedom, but it's also a winning agenda."