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On Thursday's Late Show, Stephen Colbert began with a pledge to his audience: "The Late Show Intelligence Committee will follow our investigation of Trump and Russia wherever it leads" (even if that's just to The Late Late Show). "For the past week, everybody, everywhere, has been wondering about Devin Nunes' secret intelligence source at the White House," Colbert said. "Nunes has refused to reveal who it was out of concern that if his source was exposed, he'll have to come up with a new reason to cancel all the Russia hearings." Well, on Thursday it was reported that that source was two people who work at the White House.

There are still more questions than answers about Trump and Russia though when asked, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied meddling in the U.S. election, using a folksy George H.W. Bush reference that he misattributed to Ronald Reagan. That kind of historical sloppiness, Colbert joked, is why Putin lost during "War Criminals Week" on Jeopardy. "Speaking of Donald Trump's loved ones, last week it was announced that Ivanka Trump will become a federal employee in the White House, serving as the president's 'eyes and ears,'" Colbert said, meaning he's now "hired his daughter as assistant to the president, his son-in-law as his senior adviser, and put Eric and Donald Jr. in charge of the national hair gel reserve."

"But let's take a break from Trump for just a moment," Colbert said, to cheers. He turned to a recent Washington Post profile of Mike and Karen Pence, and jumped right in to a seething culture war over Mike Pence's apparently self-imposed rules of gender conduct. The Pences "have, evidently, a pretty solid thing going on, because Pence 'never eats alone with a woman other than his wife,'" he explained. That is apparently normal for many married conservative Christians, but Colbert joked that it "can only mean one thing: Mike Pence is such an out-of-control, Force 5 bone-icane that he has to be monitored by Karen Pence at all times."

After some vaguely uncomfortable talk about Mike Pence and food, Colbert retold the other notable part of the Karen Pence profile: the 1985 engagement picnic. "It's actually a very cute engagement story," he said, "and it's a good thing Karen was there, because you do not want to leave Mike Pence alone with one of those seductive loaves of bread." Watch below. Peter Weber

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Stephen Colbert boldly wades into the new culture war over Mike ... - The Week Magazine

Certain political storylines get recirculated every six months, and one of those is Republicans are weird about sex stuff, hence the outbreak of hysteria about Mike Pences personal rules of husbandly conduct.

A few items for context:

This is being presented as evidence of Pences immersion in some sort of retrograde Christian Midwestern culture. It isnt. In the early 2000s, I worked for a publicly traded, New Jersey-based media company whose personnel policies essentially forbade managers from being alone in a room with an employee of the opposite sex and explicitly forbade that during formal procedures such as employee evaluations, salary negotiations, and terminations. I do not think that mentoring over cocktails would have been welcome at all, and might very well have resulted in disciplinary action which, because my publisher was a woman, would have happened in front of a small audience. This had nothing to do with any hidden corporate puritanism and everything to do with our litigation-loving business environment.

Here is the Guardian writing about mixed-sexbusiness dinners and chaperones back in the dark ages of 2013.

And here is an account of a lawsuit against a law firm that prohibited male and female partners from being alone together behind closed doors at the office.

Read this article:
The Pence Rule - National Review

New York Times

Amid White House Tumult, Pence Offers Trump a Steady Hand New York Times WASHINGTON When some of President Trump's aides were reassuring him over the past few weeks that he had enough votes to pass a health care bill, Vice President Mike Pence was skeptical. Mr. Pence, a Hill-wise former Indiana congressman who is ... and more »

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Amid White House Tumult, Pence Offers Trump a Steady Hand - New York Times

Details Last Updated: Friday, 31 March 2017 12:42 March 31, 2017 - Washington, D.C. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement yesterday after Vice President Mike Pence cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to send to the Presidents desk H.J. Res 43, a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that repeals the Obama Administration rule that was designed to protect Americans access to family planning andlifesaving preventive care services:

Todays vote is just the latest evidence that Republicans do not believe in womens right to contraception and family planning.

Every year, over four million women receive family planning and preventive care at the Title X-funded clinics Republicans are attacking. Sadly, Republicans assault on Title X funding will likely have heartbreaking impacts for thousands of vulnerable families who will lose access to lifesaving preventive care.

The Republican Congress is utterly consumed with contempt for womens ability to access affordable contraception and lifesaving preventative care. Republicans are once again demonstrating that they will stop at nothing to limit womens access to comprehensive health care services. Source:Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi

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Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Comments on Vice President Mike Pence's Tie-Breaker Vote to Cut Americans ... - Sierra Sun Times

It hasn't been long since social media erupted over the name Mike Pence reportedly calls his wife Karen, and recently, new details about their relationship have emerged.

The second lady acts as her husband's "gut check," shield" and "prayer warrior," and she is often by his side -- sometimes with a tray of cookies.

SEE ALSO: Mike Pence debuts new family pet -- and it has the best name ever

A profile of the vice president's wife in the Washington Post reveals the couple adheres to strict rules to preserve the sanctity of their relationship.

According to the article, Mike told the Hill in 2002 that he never eats alone with a woman other than his wife. He also will not attend events featuring alcohol without her by his side.

Though she is often by his side and political events, Karen has repeatedly said that one of her "hard and fast rules" is that she never weighs in on foreign policy.

The profile includes several anecdotes about the couple that prove how strong and respectful their bond is.

See photos of the couple:

17 PHOTOS

Mike and Karen Pence

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U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, left, and his wife, Karen Pence acknowledge the audience before he speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada February 24, 2017.

(REUTERS/David Becker)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, his wife Karen and daughter Charlotte, visit the former German Nazi concentration camp in Dachau near Munich, Germany February 19, 2017.

(REUTERS/Michael Dalder)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave after he spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., February 23, 2017.

(REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen arrive in Munich, Germany, February 17, 2017.

(REUTERS/Michaela Rehle)

U.S. President Donald Trump with his wife Melania and Vice President Mike Pence with his wife Karen dance at a Liberty Ball in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Mike Pence kisses his wife Karen after taking the oath of office for U.S. Vice President during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson)

U.S. President Donald Trump with his wife Melania and Vice President Mike Pence with his wife Karen cut a cake at the Armed Services Ball in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence with his wife Karen waves at a Liberty Ball in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Mike Pence is sworn in as U.S. Vice President as his wife Karen holds a bible during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Vice President Mike Pence is sworn in as his wife Karen Pence watches during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says goodbye to Karen Pence after a luncheon and meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence at the Naval Observatory in Washington, U.S., November 16, 2016.

(REUTERS/Gary Cameron)

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential nominee, and his wife Karen arrive to a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. October 10, 2016.

(REUTERS/Jason Miczek)

Indiana Governor Mike Pence holds hands with wife Karen Pence after being named Donald Trump's Vice Presidential candidate as the walk out of Trump Tower in New York, U.S., July 15, 2016.

(REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Indiana governor Mike Pence and wife Karen Pence attends the 2014 IPL 500 Festival Parade during the 2014 Indy 500 Festival at on May 24, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Republican Vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and wife Karen listen as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump addresses the final rally of his 2016 presidential campaign at Devos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 7, 2016.

(MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney introduces U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual leadership meeting at The Venetian Las Vegas on February 24, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike Pence's speech to the group of Republican Jewish leaders and donors follows his trip last week to Germany where he visited the former Dachau concentration camp and a surprise stop on Wednesday at a Jewish cemetery in Missouri that had been vandalized.

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Eight months into their dating relationship, Karen engraved a small gold cross with the word "yes" on it and kept it in her purse to give to him when he proposed.

A month after she began carrying the cross, Mike popped the question while they were feeding ducks together.

According to the Washington Post, he hollowed out two loaves of bread -- in one, he placed a small bottle of champagne. In the other, he hid the ring box. She found both items while tearing off peaces to feed the birds.

A local paper notes that after the proposal, the couple got the bread shellacked as a keepsake.

Since then, Karen and Mike have been inseparable.

"You can't get a dime between them," Ken Blackwell, senior fellow at the Family Research Council and a senior domestic policy adviser on the Trump transition team, told the Washington Post.

See more photos of the second lady:

18 PHOTOS

Second Lady Karen Pence

See Gallery

Vice President Mike Pence is sworn in as his wife Karen Pence watches during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Karen Pence, wife of Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence, speaks to supporters during a campaign event November 3, 2016 in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Melania Trump, wife of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, campaigned for her husband, five days before the nation pick her next president.

(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, his wife Karen and daughter Charlotte, visit the former German Nazi concentration camp in Dachau near Munich, Germany February 19, 2017.

(REUTERS/Michael Dalder)

U.S. President Donald Trump with his wife Melania and Vice President Mike Pence with his wife Karen cut a cake at the Armed Services Ball in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Indiana governor Mike Pence and wife Karen Pence attends the 2014 IPL 500 Festival Parade during the 2014 Indy 500 Festival at on May 24, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence with his wife Karen waves at a Liberty Ball in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Karen Pence (L), wife of Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee Governor Mike Pence (L), talks with Tiffany (C) and Ivanka Trump before the arrival of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S., July 20, 2016.

(REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Mike Pence is sworn in as U.S. Vice President as his wife Karen holds a bible during inauguration ceremonies swearing in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States on the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017.

(REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden meet with Vice President elect Mike Pence and Karen Pence at the Naval Observatory in Washington, U.S., November 16, 2016.

(REUTERS/Gary Cameron)

Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his wife Karen greet supporters during a rally for Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 9, 2016.

(Mike Segar / Reuters)

U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence with his wife Karen enters the floor to dance at Indiana Society Ball in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Karen Pence, wife of Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate Governor Mike Pence, waves to other attendees shortly after arriving for the vice presidential debate between her husband and Democratic U.S. vice presidential nominee Senator Tim Kaine at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, U.S., October 4, 2016.

(REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Melania Trump, wife to the Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, and Karen Pence, wife of Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, hold an event at Main Line Sports Centre in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, U.S. November 3, 2016.

(REUTERS/Mark Makela)

U.S. Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence arrive at U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump?s election night rally in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 8, 2016.

(REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Anne Holton (L), wife of Democratic U.S. vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine (L), shakes hands with Karen Pence, wife of Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee Mike Pence, ahead of the start of their vice presidential debate at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, U.S., October 4, 2016.

(REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

Karen Pence, wife of Republican vice presidential nominee Indiana Governor Mike Pence, gestures after her introduction at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 20, 2016.

(REUTERS/Jim Young)

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, the GOP Vice Presidential candidate, greet the crowd along with his wife Karen during a town hall meeting at the Mile High Station August 03, 2016.

(Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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More from AOL.com: Photo of Mike Pence leaves Twitter users infuriated The Secret Service requested $60 million of additional funding to protect the Trump family Pence: America 'suffers' every day that Obamacare survives

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Interview reveals strict rules Mike Pence and his wife have for their relationship - AOL