The most important story about Trumps VP is why he needs a new one – Media Matters for America
The most important story about Donald Trumps incipient pick for his vice presidential running mate is the reason he needs to replace Mike Pence, who served as his vice president for four years. Reporting on Trumps decision, which will be announced within the next week, should emphasize that Pence has been removed from the ticket because he refused Trumps entreaties to overturn the 2020 election and that his substitute will be someone who would make a different choice.
Journalists have covered Trumps potential vice presidential pick from virtually every possible angle over the past several weeks. In addition to more traditional coverage of who the contenders are, the arguments for and against each, and which one is most likely to be the pick, the reporting has included conflicting stories about whether Trump likes Ohio Sen. J.D. Vances beard, discussions of whether Florida Sen. Marco Rubio would need to move to another state to accept the nomination, and illuminations of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgums potential advantage in having great hair.
But what often falls out of veepstakes coverage is a simple question: Why does Trump need to pick a new running mate in the first place? Why isnt Pence, who shared the ticket with Trump in 2016 and 2020, still on the ticket?
Everyone knows the answer: Pence eliminated any hope of serving another term with Trump on January 6, 2021.
Trump spent the weeks after the 2020 presidential election lying that Democrats had rigged the vote against him through massive voter fraud and trying to subvert the results. He drew support from propaganda outlets like Fox News and a coterie of loyal kooks and charlatans. But courts rejected his arguments in dozens of cases, and state legislatures refused to go along with his plans.
The then-presidents fallback option was a scheme to pressure then-Vice President Pence, who would oversee the count of Electoral College votes during the January 6, 2021, joint session of Congress, to illegally reject electors from key states that supported Joe Biden and thus subvert the election to keep Trump in office. But Pence refused to play along, repeatedly telling Trump that he did not have the constitutional authority to take such actions.
But Trump nonetheless summoned thousands of his supporters to a rally at the White House that day, and he told the resulting assembly that Pence had the power to keep him in office.
If Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election, he told the crowd an hour before the joint session was scheduled to begin.
Pence held firm. He wrote in a letter released minutes before the session that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not.
The insurrection began. A Trumpist mob broke through police barricades and stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Secret Service rushed Pence to a safe location, Congress abruptly halted its constitutional duty to oversee the peaceful transition of power, and the building went into lockdown.
Trump responded to the assault on the democratic process by attacking Pence. The then-president, who was reportedly watching live Fox coverage of the attack, tweeted, Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.
As video circulated that members of the mob were chanting Hang Mike Pence, Trump reportedly suggested that Pence deserved it. And with the building under siege, a Trump lawyer told one of Pences aides by email that Pence was responsible.
Pence kept his honor and stood strong against Trumps coup attempt. Law enforcement eventually cleared the building of rioters, Pence brought both houses of Congress back into session, the legislatures resumed their work certifying the electoral vote, and, at 3:42 a.m., the vice president announced that Joe Biden had a majority and would become president. And for a brief time, there was a widespread, bipartisan consensus that the days events had been horrific and that Trump bore responsibility for them.
But then the right-wings propagandists went to work. They created a counternarrative which downplayed the mobs violence and blamed it on federal agitators, winning over the Republican base and helping to rehabilitate the former president. Now the GOP has turned election denial into a core value and the party is about to return Trump to its presidential ticket, even as he continues to claim he won four years ago.
Pence wont be joining him, however. Indeed, Pence, who maintains that Trump was wrong and that the then-president bears responsibility for the insurrection, says he wont be supporting Trump at all in the general election.
Pence wouldnt pretend that Trump won the 2020 election, and he refused to help him remain in power unlawfully, and so he is off the ticket in 2024. And it beggars belief that Trump might pick someone without getting assurances that they would follow through where Pence balked. Journalists understand whats going on here, and they dont serve their viewers, listeners, and readers by hiding the ball.
Indeed, while the contenders have various pluses and minuses, they share two qualities. They all looked at what happened on January 6 and decided they were still willing to take the VP slot, and theyve all spent the last several months publicly supplicating to Trump by winking at 2020 election denial and pooh-poohing questions of whether they would accept the results of the 2024 race.
Trump's coup failed because brave Republicans Pence above all were willing to put their loyalty to the Constitution over their personal loyalty to Trump. By definition, anyone who wants to be his vice president today is saying they would make a different choice. Journalists should keep those stakes front and center as they cover Trumps running mate pick.
The rest is here:
The most important story about Trumps VP is why he needs a new one - Media Matters for America
- 'Jeopardizes All Of It': Ex-Mike Pence Aide Knocks Trump Over These 'Confusing' Moves - HuffPost - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- JD Vance Wonders If Other VPs Had This Much Excitement Social Media Says, Ask Mike Pence - Yahoo News Singapore - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- "My Respect For VP Pence Continues To Grow": People Are Applauding Mike Pence For Writing A Letter To A January 6 Rioter Who Refused Trump's... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 'Shows your commitment to rule of law': Trump's ex-VP Mike Pence applauds woman who refused pardon for Ja - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- People Can't Believe They Actually Agree With Mike Pence After He Wrote A Letter To A Jan 6 Rioter - BuzzFeed - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence writes letter to Jan 6 rioter praising her for refusing to take Trumps pardon - MSN - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - Yahoo - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence parts ways with Trump on tariff policy - WRAL.com - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - NBC News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence reveals whether he plans to run in 2028 - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence warns of risk of Trump accepting a plane from nation linked to Hamas - The Independent - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence ramps up Trump disapproval with 13 words slamming overseas trip - The Mirror US - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Would former VP Mike Pence ever run for office again? Here's what he said - IndyStar - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Sounds Terror Alert on Trumps Free Plane - The Daily Beast - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- How Mike Pence says he came to the conclusion he should part ways with Trump - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes Trump on tariffs and key foreign policy issues as he watches from afar - Straight Arrow News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Trump's Middle East Trip Draws Rare Praise From Mike Pence As 'Very Successful' For US Economy Amid 'Historic' Boeing Deal: 'That'll Really Support... - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence says Trump tariffs were the largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history - MSN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Says This Trump Policy Could Kill The American Dream - HuffPost - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence receives award for defending democracy from Trump without mentioning his name - MSN - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence urges President Trump and congressional Republicans not to raise taxes on wealthy Americans - Fox News - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence rebukes Trump over tariffs and wavering support for Ukraine - The Guardian - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Finally Goes Scorched Earth on Trump and His Agenda - The Daily Beast - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Former Vice President Mike Pence honored by Kennedy family in receiving the JFK 'Profile in Courage Award' - Fox News - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence: Keeping toys affordable is part of the American dream - CNN - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence eloquently carves up Trump and MAGA with the precision of a surgeon - NJ.com - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Is Too Scared to Mention Trump While Picking Up Courage Award - The Daily Beast - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence speaks out about January 6 Capitol attacks while receiving the JFK Profile in Courage Award - Fast Company - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- EDITORIAL | Profile in Courage: Mike Pence stood tall in defense of the Constitution - Texarkana Gazette - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence issues damning 7-word assessment as he turns on Trump in bombshell interview - Irish Star - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Pushes Back on Trump's Assertion That Young Girls Only Need '2 or 3' Dolls: 'Really Part of the American Dream' - Latin Times - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- 'America's best days yet to come...,' Mike Pence quotes JFK as he received Profile in Courage Award - The Economic Times - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Rejects Trumps Tariffs: They Will Hurt the Economy and Consumers - La Voce di New York - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- Opinion | Mike Pence: What the 47th President Can Learn From the 45th - WSJ - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has message for Trump just days after ripping the president and angering MAGA - PennLive.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Former US VP Mike Pence: Providing Ukraine with means to defend itself is an imperative for the entire West - All Israel News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Reacts to Trump's Pivot on Tariffs - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK Profile in Courage Award for actions during January 6 insurrection - CBS News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence has spent the week making Trump fans and the MAGA world mad - PennLive.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- And the JFK Library Profile in Courage Award goes to: Former VP Mike Pence - MassLive - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to get JFK Profile in Courage Award for certification of 2020 election - The Independent - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK profile in courage - news8000.com - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to Receive JFK Profile in Courage Award - The Well News - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to get JFK Profile in Courage Award for certification of 2020 election - MSN - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to receive JFK Profile in Courage Award - Irish Star - April 10th, 2025 [April 10th, 2025]
- Former US VP Mike Pence: Like Israel, the US should give Taiwan 'the ability to defend herself by herself' - All Israel News - April 1st, 2025 [April 1st, 2025]
- President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, as Vice President Mike... - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- In Trumps Washington, Mike Pence Is Odd Man Out - The Dispatch - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- People Are Genuinely Stunned They Agree With Mike Pence's Ukraine Tweet - Yahoo - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence aims to be 'constructive force' during Trump's second term while willing to challenge him - Fox News - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - The Associated Press - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence criticizes President Trump for saying Ukraine started war with Russia - IndyStar - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence lashes out, but most Republicans mum as Trump savages Ukraine and Zelensky - The Independent - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - Niagara Gazette - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence lashes out schools Trump on who started the Ukraine-Russia war - Boing Boing - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- All those to speak out against Donald Trump as Mike Pence rallies against former boss - Evening Standard - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump - Mon Valley Independent - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Incensed Mike Pence Slaps Down Trump Over His Sucking Up to Putin - MSN - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - LPHeraldDispatch.com - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - WPLG Local 10 - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - HubcitySPOKES.com - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence emerges as one of the few Republicans willing to challenge Trump 2.0 - Oil City Derrick - February 23rd, 2025 [February 23rd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Revives Trump Tirades Against RFK Jr. in New Ad - The Daily Beast - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Shares Brutal Video Montage of Trumps Own Words on RFK Jr. - The New Republic - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Takes Aim at Donald Trump: 'Deviated From This Record' - Newsweek - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Mike Pence Shares Brutal Video Montage of Trumps Own Words on RFK Jr. - Yahoo! Voices - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Opinion | Mike Pence Hits the Hong Kong Target - The Wall Street Journal - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Mike Pence Back on the Scene as His Group Moves to Undermine Trump - MSN - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Mike Pence to attend inauguration - ABC7 Los Angeles - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Mike Pence arrives at Capitol before Trump inauguration - CBS News - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence Will Reportedly Attend Trump's Inauguration: What We Know - Newsweek - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence to Trump: cutting Taiwan support would likely spark a new nuclear arms race - The Guardian - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence booed by crowd as former presidents enter Capitol Rotunda - FOX 5 DC - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Rachel Maddow Admits Mike Pence's Wife Refusing to Stand for Trump at President Carter Funeral Is Marriage Goals - TheWrap - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Bill and Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence BOOED by MAGA fans as they enter the Capitol Rotunda - Daily Mail - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence makes shocking U-turn on Donald Trump support despite being branded as 'disloyal' - Daily Mail - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Mike Pence makes brutal 'arms race' warning to Donald Trump - Irish Star - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Ex-Mike Pence Aide Olivia Troye Says Kash Patel Threatened to Sue Her for Calling Him a Delusional Liar on MSNBC - Yahoo! Voices - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Ex-Mike Pence Aide Olivia Troye Says Kash Patel Threatened to Sue Her for Calling Him a 'Delusional Liar' on MSNBC - TheWrap - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Karoline Leavitt praised Mike Pence in 2021 and then deleted two social media posts - The Times of India - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]