Latest news with #JFKLibraryFoundation
Epoch Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Mike Pence Says He's Ruling Out Another White House Run
Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday he is ruling out another presidential run after an unsuccessful bid during the 2024 contest. In an interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker, Pence 'I don't see it, but we'll keep standing for everything we've always stood for, and we'll let the future take care of itself,' said Pence, who served as President Donald Trump's vice president during his first term. Pence said that he wants to have a role in shaping conservative policy, although he did not provide details. 'I want to be a voice for conservative values. I want to be a voice for the policies and liberties enshrined in the Constitution of the United States,' he said. 'I want to be a champion of the conservative cause, and that's where I'll stay focused, and we'll let the future take care of itself.' When he dropped out of the race in October 2023, Pence had failed to attract enough primary voters and donors to sustain a candidacy that had languished in the low single digits in polls. Meanwhile, he was low on campaign cash when he ultimately bowed out. Related Stories 5/17/2025 5/17/2025 Pence's third-quarter fundraising totals on Oct. 15 of that year had, at the time, showed his campaign was $620,000 in debt, with only $1.2 million cash on hand. That was far less than several better-performing Republican rivals and insufficient for a White House race. Pence, 65, ran as what he characterized as a traditional social and fiscal conservative, as well as a foreign policy hawk, while calling for increased military aid to Ukraine and cuts in welfare spending. Months later, he did not back Trump as the GOP nominee. The relationship between the two had soured over disagreement about Pence's handling of the 2020 electoral count in Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, and the political fallout from the protest that was held outside the Capitol the same day. Earlier this month, Pence accepted the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for what the JFK Library Foundation says was 'for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021.' As for the 2028 race, Trump said earlier this month he is 'looking to have four great years, and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward.' The president told NBC News on May 4 that Vice President JD Vance would be 'at the top of the list' in terms of who could be the Republican front-runner. But he noted that there are others in the GOP who could run for the nation's highest office, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Reuters contributed to this report.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mike Pence receives John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who worked alongside President Donald Trump during his first term, received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Sunday in Washington. The JFK Library Foundation, which grants the award, selected Pence for 'putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021.' Pence did not spend much time talking about the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol during his acceptance remarks, instead focusing his remarks on the Constitution. 'To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,' he said. 'I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It's what binds us across time and generations. ... It's what makes us one people.' Pence called Jan. 6 a 'tragic day (that) became a triumph of freedom' in his speech. 'History will record that our institutions held,' he said. 'Leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy's work under the Constitution. ... By God's grace, I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America.' Former President John F. Kennedy's daughter and grandson, Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg, presented the award. 'At the time I thought Vice President Pence was just doing his job,' said Caroline Kennedy. 'Only later did I realize that his act of courage saved our government and warned us about what could happen and is happening right now.' The Profile in Courage Award honors public servants 'whose actions demonstrate ... qualities of politically courageous leadership.' Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford have previously received the award. The award is named for a book President Kennedy published in 1957, before he became president. Though Pence refrained from mentioning Trump in his remarks at the award ceremony, he granted Fox News an interview afterward, in which he vowed to 'be a voice' against parts of the current president's agenda that he believes deviate from a traditional conservative agenda. Nevertheless, he praised Trump for winning the presidency in 2024, 'for securing our southern border, for restoring morale and recruitment in our military (and) for taking the fight to the Houthis.' Trump has not yet commented on Pence's reception of the award nor his subsequent remarks. Following former President Joe Biden's election win in 2020, Pence's role was to certify the election results. Pence was criticized by Trump supporters who believed the election was unfair. During the Jan. 6 riots, protesters erected gallows and a noose on the west lawn of the Capitol and chanted 'hang Mike Pence.' 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,' Trump posted on social media as the Jan. 6 riots were ongoing. Pence and Trump's relationship has remained strained since then. Pence criticized Trump in a memoir he released in 2022 for attacking 'those of us who defended the Constitution.' Trump has criticized Pence as well, at one point calling him 'delusional.'
Japan Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Former Vice President Pence defends Constitution after getting Profile in Courage Award
Former Vice President Mike Pence acknowledges a standing ovation as he speaks after receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award during a ceremony at the JFK Library, Sunday, May 4, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) By MICHAEL CASEY Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday repeatedly invoked the Constitution and said it is what 'binds us all together' after receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Pence received the award for his refusal to go along with President Donald Trump's efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election. The award recognizes Pence 'for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021,' the JFK Library Foundation said. 'To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,' Pence said. 'I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It's what binds us across time and generations. .... It's what makes us one people.' His comments came hours after an interview with Trump aired in which he was asked whether U.S. citizens and noncitizens both deserve due process as laid out in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution. Trump was noncommittal. 'I don't know. I'm not, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know,' Trump said when pressed in an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker. It was taped Friday at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida and aired Sunday. Pence never mentioned Trump during his 10-minute speech but made several references to the Trump administration. Referencing what he called 'these divided times, in these anxious days,' he acknowledged that he probably had differences with the Democrats in the room but also with his own Republican Party 'on spending, tariffs and my belief that America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured." Trump pressured Pence to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud. Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to 'hang Mike Pence.' Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters. 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,' Trump wrote at the time on X, formerly Twitter, as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building. Pence rejected the Secret Service's advice that he leave the Capitol, staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Biden's presidential victory once rioters were cleared. In describing his role, Pence told the audience that 'by God's grace I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America.' The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honors public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. Previous recipients of the award include former Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford. Pence has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to take on the Trump administration. His political action group, Advancing American Freedom, campaigned against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nation's health agencies. He's delivered speeches urging the president to stand with longtime foreign allies and posted an article he penned more than a decade ago on the limits of presidential power after Trump claimed that, 'He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
BreakingNews.ie
05-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Leo Varadkar meets Mike Pence after he receives award for January 6th actions
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar met former US vice president Mike Pence after he received an award for his refusal to go along with Donald Trump's efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election. Mr Pence received the John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Sunday. Advertisement In a post on Instagram, Mr Varadkar shared a photo from the Kennedy Library in Boston where he posed with his partner Matt Barrett, Mr Pence and former US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin. He captioned the post: "Was a priviledge to be at the Kennedy Library last night to see Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg present Fmr Vice-President Mike Pence with the Profiles in Courage Award for 2025. It takes real leadership to stand up to your opponents, even more to stand up to your friends." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leo Varadkar (@leovaradkar) The Profile in Courage Award , named for a book Mr Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honours public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. JFK's daughter Caroline Kennedy, who along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg presented the award, said Mr Pence's actions that day were a reminder that you cannot take democracy for granted. Advertisement The award recognises Mr Pence 'for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan 6, 2021,' the JFK Library Foundation said. 'To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,' Mr Pence said. 'I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It's what binds us across time and generations… It's what makes us one people.' Mr Varadkar is currently in Boston after taking up a post as a guest lecturer in Harvard University. Advertisement Mr Varadkar and Mr Barrett previously met Mr Pence during the St Patrick's Day trip to Washington in 2019, when Mr Varadkar was taoiseach. There was some uncertainty prior to the meeting as Mr Pence, a conservative Christian, had been criticised for his views on LGBT issues and his opposition to same-sex marriage. Ireland Varadkar says US is no longer 'reliable political... Read More After Mr Pence had welcomed the couple, Mr Varadkar used his speech to support the LGBT community in the US. I stand here this morning as leader of my country, flawed and human, but judged by my political actions and not by my sexual orientation or my skin tone or my gender or religious beliefs. "And I don't believe my country is the only one in the world where this story is possible. It is found in every country where freedom and liberty are cherished. We are, after all, all God's children." Mr Pence subsequently praised Mr Varadkar for his "inspiring words".
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mike Pence Is Too Scared to Mention Trump While Picking Up ‘Courage' Award
Former Vice President Mike Pence decided not to mention his old boss when he went to pick up a 'courage' award for defying him. Pence received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award at the JFK Library in Boston Sunday for his refusal to endorse false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump—which made him the No. 1 target for Trump's supporters during the Jan. 6 riots. The JFK Library Foundation lauded Pence for 'putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021.' Despite this, Pence failed to mention Trump in his 10-minute acceptance speech. Instead, Trump's former deputy made references to the importance of the Constitution—hours after the president refused to say, in a jaw-dropping NBC interview, whether he himself should have to abide by it. 'To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,' Pence said, after receiving the award—which is named after a book written by Kennedy while still a U.S. senator. 'I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It's what binds us across time and generations. It's what makes us one people.' He also touched on 'these divided times, in these anxious days,' and obliquely criticized Trump for his tariffs and his stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 'America is the leader of the free world and must stand with Ukraine until the Russian invasion is repelled and a just and lasting peace is secured,' he said, touching on Trump's clear preference for Russia's Vladimir Putin over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The comments come after Pence called on Trump to stop believing Putin's lies in a Wall Street Journal op-ed last week. 'Only renewed American military support for our close partner provides any hope for a just and lasting peace,' he wrote, urging him to support Ukraine. Pence also called Trump's tariffs a 'massive policy misstep.' Trump's attitude on Meet the Press Sunday, meanwhile, showed a different level of regard for the Constitution. Host Kristen Welker asked him, 'Don't you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?' His answer came through gritted teeth. 'I don't know. I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said,' he said. The Supreme Court has ordered him to facilitate the return of wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia and provide due process to migrants generally. Due process, for citizens and non-citizens, is protected under the Fifth Amendment. Asked whether he agreed with this element of the Constitution, he answered: 'I don't know, I'm not a lawyer.' Pence became the target of MAGA anger after standing firm against Trump's claims that Joe Biden had stolen the 2020 election. Those claims ultimately led to the fatal insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, when pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol to prevent Congress confirming the election result. Pence defied the advice of Secret Service agents to flee, and instead hunkered down in the building as it was stormed. He later presided over the certification of the election result after the Capitol was cleared. As Pence hid with his family and aides in the building and protesters funneled through the corridors chanting 'Hang Mike Pence!' Trump fueled the fire by railing against his lack of 'courage' in a Twitter post. 'Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,' he wrote on the site, now called X. Pence had a different telling of events. Speaking to the audience at the JFK Library on Sunday, he said: 'By God's grace, I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States of America. 'Jan. 6 was a tragic day but it became a triumph of freedom. History will record that our institutions held. Leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy's work under the Constitution.' The award was presented by JFK's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg. Previous recipients include former presidents Barack Obama, Gerald Ford, and George H. W. Bush; Ukraine's Zelensky; former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; and Trump nemesis and former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney.
