Mike Pence
Governor of Indiana · 2013–2017
Mike Pence was the most compliant Vice President in modern American history. For four years he stood at Trump's side at every rally, affirmed every position, absorbed every humiliation, and never publicly objected to a single thing Trump did. He was loyal to a degree that was, by any reasonable measure, pathological.
On January 6, 2021, Pence presided over the certification of the 2020 electoral college results — a ministerial, constitutional duty. Trump pressured him in writing, by phone, and publicly to refuse to certify the results or send them back to the states. Pence's own lawyers had told him he had no such authority. He was right. He certified the results. The mob that Trump had summoned stormed the Capitol chanting "Hang Mike Pence." Trump, watching on television, reportedly said the mob had the right idea.
Pence was politically finished from that day. He briefly ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, withdrew with negligible polling numbers, and conspicuously declined to endorse Trump. He now has no political office, no future in Republican politics, and no party that will have him. Four years of total submission bought him nothing except the distinction of being the one man in Trump's orbit who did the right thing once — and was destroyed for it.
Pence serves as VP with near-total deference to Trump. He publicly defends every major Trump policy — family separation at the border, the Muslim ban, withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and his handling of COVID-19. He is never publicly critical. He never breaks ranks. He is the model of submission.
Trump tweets at Pence during the Capitol riot, saying he lacks the 'courage' to reject the election results. Rioters chanting 'Hang Mike Pence' erect a gallows outside the building while Pence is inside. Secret Service agents reportedly prepare to evacuate. Pence refuses to leave and certifies the electoral college results.
Trump, watching the riot unfold on television, reportedly responds to news of the 'Hang Mike Pence' chants by saying Pence 'deserves it.' This is reported by multiple sources including former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and confirmed in the House January 6 Committee report.
Pence launches a 2024 presidential campaign. He receives minimal support from Republican primary voters, polls in single digits, and withdraws from the race in October 2023. He declines to endorse Trump. The party that he served for four years with complete loyalty will not have him back.