Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker gives remarks at the Naming ceremony for future USS Delaware (SSN 791) on Thursday, April 4, 2019. This tribute pays tribute to his courage in preserving American democracy at its most dire junctures. Pence’s acceptance speech highlighted his refusal to yield to pressure from former President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, which he certified despite facing threats from a violent mob on January 6, 2021.
Pence painted a graphic portrait of the terrifying ordeal of that day. Security personnel eventually rushed him to safety as a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, looking for him and chanting, “Hang Mike Pence.” He focused on his unwillingness to cast aside democracy for convenience, stressing that he would never put political loyalty above the Constitution.
During the course of his address, Pence tore into Trump’s policies, specifically his misuse of tariffs and overall pandering to foreign governments. We’re on your side He presciently argued against then-candidate Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports, explaining that they hurt the American people. As Mr. Lee had been warning, the worst effects were yet to come. Pence predicted a “price shock” and potential shortages as a consequence of these policies, expressing concern for American families relying on affordable goods.
“Keeping our kids’ toys affordable: that really is part of the American dream,” – Mike Pence
Pence expressed disappointment in Trump’s decision to pardon approximately 1,600 individuals convicted for their roles in the Capitol riot. He said that this move “sent the wrong message” when it comes to accountability and respecting law enforcement.
Pence’s boldest stand came in the foreign policy arena. On foreign policy, he specifically underscored his administration’s support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. He praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and claimed that mixed signals from the Biden administration have encouraged Russian aggression.
“If the last three years teaches us anything, it’s that Vladimir Putin doesn’t want peace; he wants Ukraine,” – Mike Pence
Pence warned that the absence of durable, bipartisan support for Ukraine would have catastrophic impacts for world order. He added that the administration’s inconsistent backing during the past few months has just encouraged Russia. He argues that this uncertainty has made their more precarious position even stronger.
His comments featured scorn for Trump’s trade war against Canada, that he claimed was damaging to decades-old partnerships. Pence welcomed Canada as “a great ally” whose soldiers have fought and died alongside Americans courageously in every war since World War One. He stressed that it’s important to keep good diplomatic relationships.
Reflecting on his time in office and the challenges faced during and after the 2020 election, Pence urged the American public to demand a different approach from their leadership. He thinks they’re catching the wave among citizens that are more and more impatient and prepared to make change happen in policy directions.
“I think the American people are going to see the consequences of this. I think they’ll demand a different approach,” – Mike Pence