Former Vice President Mike Pence has publicly voiced significant disagreements with many of his former boss’s policies, revealing a growing rift with Donald Trump. In a recent interview, Pence didn’t hesitate to express his concerns, stating he scarcely knew where to begin when listing his objections.
Pence sharply criticized Trump’s proposals to cap credit card interest rates, arguing they would ultimately harm the very people they intend to help. He explained that such price controls would inevitably restrict credit availability for middle and lower-class Americans, a consequence rooted in basic financial principles.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Pence turned his attention to tariffs, a policy he previously supported during the 2016 campaign and throughout his vice presidency. He now views them as detrimental, arguing they function as price controls that artificially inflate the cost of imported goods.
He went on to emphasize that the burden of these tariffs doesn’t fall on foreign nations, but squarely on American businesses and consumers. Pence expressed hope that the Supreme Court will intervene, “resetting the constitutional balance” and striking down the tariffs altogether.
Pence framed his opposition within a broader ideological shift, explaining his move from the Democratic to the Republican party was driven by principles of free market economics and limited government. He sees Trump’s current economic policies as a direct contradiction of those core tenets.
The legal basis for Trump’s tariffs rests on two key pieces of legislation: Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security concerns, and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, addressing unfair trade practices. Both allow the president to impose tariffs without direct congressional approval.
A pivotal Supreme Court decision regarding the legality of these tariffs is anticipated in the coming weeks, potentially reshaping the landscape of American trade policy and further defining the evolving relationship between Pence and Trump.
Pence, reflecting on the situation, wryly compared his position to “a mosquito in a nudist colony,” highlighting the stark contrast between his views and the prevailing direction of the current administration’s economic agenda.
