Latest news with #Pence
The Hill
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Pence's advocacy group urges Trump to pursue ‘maximum pressure' on Iran
Former Vice President Mike Pence's advocacy group on Thursday published a memo urging the Trump administration to deploy a 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran in the wake of strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The memo, which was obtained first by The Hill, argues that the administration 'would be wise' to use a maximum pressure strategy against Iran as President Trump has indicated a willingness to engage with Tehran. 'President Trump delivered a critical blow to Iran's attempt to achieve nuclear breakout status, sending Iran's uranium enrichment program back years,' the memo states. 'Even still, as the Trump administration begins to re-engage with Iran, it would be wise to return to its Maximum Pressure posture from the first administration and take heed of the charged situation inside the country.' The memo outlines three key actions for the administration to take. First, it urges the administration to prohibit all uranium enrichment. Second, it calls for imposing 'severe sanctions' on the Iranian regime, similar to the ones used during the first Trump administration when Pence was vice president. The memo also calls for engagement with the Iranian opposition and the right of the Iranian people to 'determine their own destiny by establishing a truly democratic republic, as bipartisan majorities of the House of Representatives have resolved.' Pence was among those who praised Trump after the president ordered strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities in June. The former vice president said the administration did 'what really needed to be done.' While Trump has insisted Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, he has also left the door open at times to engaging with Tehran and has said he would like to see the Iranian economy do well. Pence has emerged as an outspoken critic of Trump and his administration on certain issues, most notably on tariffs and the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. But the former vice president has also used his advocacy group to push for policies that align with the White House, such as extending the tax cuts signed into law in 2017.
17-07-2025
- Politics
Mike Pence calls for the release of the Epstein files: 'I've always believed in transparency'
Former Vice President Mike Pence joined the chorus of Republicans calling on the Trump administration to release files about the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, telling CBS News in an interview that he believes the administration should release all of the files about Epstein -- breaking with the president he once served under. "I think the time has come for the administration to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein's investigation and prosecution," Pence said in the Wednesday interview. Asked if he believes there should be an inquiry into if accomplices to Epstein should be exposed to criminal prosecution, Pence said, "I just think we ought to get the facts to the American people. I've always believed in transparency." "It's important that we protect the names of the victims. They should be excluded from any disclosure. But whether or not the facts justify charges, I think that anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public scrutiny." In recent weeks, many of President Donald Trump's most prominent supporters and congressional Republicans continue to demand answers about the files. Pence is more moderate ideologically than many of the high-profile names calling for the files to be released. More broadly, Pence has threaded a needle over the first six months of Trump's second presidency, occasionally critiquing and occasionally praising the second-term policies or opinions of the president who he once served under. Trump continued Wednesday to dismiss calls within his own party for more transparency into the Epstein investigation and made claims, without evidence, that the controversy was designed to undermine him. In a lengthy social media post, which included references to the president's previous claims about the 2017 Russian election interference probe, Trump blamed Democrats for creating what he called a "scam" and "hoax." Asked what Trump means when he says the Epstein controversy is a "hoax," Pence didn't answer directly, but said Epstein's prosecution began during the Bush administration and continued during the Obama administration. "I know of no reason why this administration, once the victims' names are protected, should not release all the files on Jeffrey Epstein," Pence added.
Indianapolis Star
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Mike Pence has a message for Donald Trump about Jeffrey Epstein: 'Release all the files'
Former Vice President Mike Pence urged the Trump administration to release all the investigative findings it has related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an opinion not currently shared by his ex-boss. During an interview with CBS News' Major Garrett, the former Indiana governor said the "time has come" for all the facts to become available to the American people, adding he's "always believed in transparency." Pence emphasized that the names of the victims should be excluded from any disclosure. Here's what we know. During the interview, Pence told Garrett those connected to Epstein or who took part in his sex trafficking operation should be exposed. "Whether or not the facts justify charges, I think anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held to public scrutiny," Pence said. Former Vice President Mike Pence says "the time has come" for the Trump administration "to release all of the files regarding Jeffrey Epstein's investigation and prosecution.""Anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held up to public… Pence did not suggest the lack of transparency is politically motivated, but did hint that the investigation into the disgraced financier began during George W. Bush's administration and continued into Barack Obama's tenure at the White House. "I know of no reason why this administration — once the victims' names are protected — should not release all the files on Jeffrey Epstein," he said. Story continues after photo gallery. The interview follows President Donald Trump's recent criticisms toward Republicans who raised questions about his administration's handling of the Epstein case. In a July 16 social media post, he described conservative backers as "stupid" and "weaklings" falling for Democrats' work. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax. And my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls***,' hook, line, and sinker," Trump wrote. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." USA TODAY reached out to the White House for comment on Pence's interview. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, were among the Trump allies to push for transparency on the Epstein investigation. The calls came after the Justice Department released a memo earlier this month stating that a systematic review "revealed no incriminating 'client list" and that "no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted." The memo also said the department found no evidence to support theories that Epstein was murdered while in custody, affirming New York's chief medical examiner's ruling that he died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. "No one believes there is not a client list," Greene wrote on a July 8 X post. Story continues after photo gallery. In a July 15 interview with the Benny Johnson Show, Johnson also called for the release of more Epstein records, saying: "I'm for transparency." "It's a very delicate subject," he said. "But we should put everything out there and let the people decide." Trump said he doesn't understand the "fascination" with the case, blaming "bad people" for the attention and coverage it continues to receive. "It's sordid, but it's boring," he told reporters on July 15. "And I don't understand why it keeps going. Really only bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going." While Epstein died before sitting for trial, the registered sex offender pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor for prostitution in Florida in 2008. Trump, who had a friendship with Epstein years ago, has appeared in legal documents concerning Epstein's crimes but is not implicated. Epstein was found unresponsive inside his Manhattan jail cell on Aug. 10, 2019. He was transferred to a hospital and pronounced deceased. Officials ruled his death as "an apparent suicide." Contributing: Zac Anderson, USA TODAY More about politics: Mike Pence, other Indiana politicians praise Trump's decision to bomb Iran's nuclear sites
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Mike Pence urges Trump to 'release all the files' on Jeffrey Epstein
Former Vice President Mike Pence urged the Trump administration to release all of the investigative findings related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a different stance his ex-boss took on July 16. During an interview with CBS News' Major Garrett, the former Indiana governor said the "time has come" for all the facts to become available to the American people, adding he's "always believed in transparency." Pence emphasized that the names of the victims should be excluded from any disclosure. "Whether or not the facts justify charges, I think anyone who participated or was associated with this despicable man ought to be held to public scrutiny," Pence told Garrett. Pence did not suggest the lack of transparency is politically motivated, but did hint that the investigation into the disgraced financier began during George W. Bush's administration and continued into Barack Obama's tenure at the White House. "I know of no reason why this administration — once the victims' names are protected — should not release all the files on Jeffrey Epstein," he said. The interview follows President Donald Trump's recent criticisms toward Republicans who raised questions about his administration's handling of the Epstein case. In a July 16 social media post, he described conservative backers as "stupid" and "weaklings" falling for Democrats' work. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax. And my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bulls***,' hook, line, and sinker," Trump wrote. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." USA TODAY reached out to the White House for comment on Pence's interview. Marjorie Taylor Green, Mike Johnson among calls for transparency Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, were among the Trump allies to push for transparency on the Epstein investigation. The calls came after the Justice Department released a memo earlier this month stating that a systematic review "revealed no incriminating 'client list" and that "no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted." The memo also said the department found no evidence to support theories that Epstein was murdered while in custody, affirming New York's chief medical examiner's ruling that he died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. "No one believes there is not a client list," Greene wrote on a July 8 X post. In a July 15 interview with the Benny Johnson Show, Johnson also called for the release of more Epstein records, saying: "I'm for transparency." "It's a very delicate subject," he said. "But we should put everything out there and let the people decide." Trump says he doesn't understand 'fascination' with case Trump said he doesn't understand the "fascination" with the case, blaming "bad people" for the attention and coverage it continues to receive. "It's sordid, but it's boring," he told reporters on July 15,. "And I don't understand why it keeps going. Really only bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going." While Epstein died before sitting for trial, the registered sex offender pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor for prostitution in Florida in 2008. Trump, who had a friendship with Epstein years ago, has appeared in legal documents concerning Epstein's crimes but is not implicated. Contributing: Zac Anderson, USA TODAY
The Hill
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Pence applauds Johnson for passing tax cut extension in ‘big, beautiful bill'
Former Vice President Mike Pence wrote to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday to commend him for getting a massive reconciliation package that included an extension of the 2017 tax cuts across the finish line. 'Our team at Advancing American Freedom is deeply grateful for your conservative leadership in extending the Trump-Pence Tax Cuts, and we look forward to working with you to champion the enormous achievement of the One Big Beautiful Bill and defend its merits on the campaign trail as a critical victory for the American people,' Pence wrote to Johnson in a letter obtained first by The Hill. Trump on the Fourth of July signed the 'one, big, beautiful bill' into law containing several of his top campaign promises around taxes, border funding and more. The law makes 2017 tax breaks from Trump's first term permanent, while adding some new tax breaks, such as no taxes on tips up to $25,000 and a 'senior deduction' that will allow more people over 65 to avoid Social Security taxes. 'As Vice President, one of my greatest honors was presiding over the passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,' Pence wrote to Johnson. 'We delivered conservative economic wins for the American people then—and you have delivered conservative economic wins for the American people now.' Advancing American Freedom, an advocacy group founded by Pence after he left the White House in 2021, spent significant time and resources pressing lawmakers to extend the tax cuts Trump signed into law in 2017 while Pence was vice president. The group aired ads, met with staff on Capitol Hill and launched a website highlighting the risks of allowing the tax cuts to expire. Advancing American Freedom plans to keep the website up and running as a resource for lawmakers to defend the legislation on the campaign trail.
