Former Vice President Mike Pence is quietly reshaping the Republican Party’s direction, asserting himself as a leading advocate for traditional conservative principles amid a surge of populist influence under President Donald Trump, according to the Washington Examiner.
With a notable wave of senior Heritage Foundation scholars joining his advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), Pence is mounting a concerted effort to anchor the GOP in policy-focused conservatism.
During his vice presidency, Pence worked closely with congressional Republicans such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R‑KY) and then‑House Speaker Paul Ryan (R‑WI).
Their collaboration delivered landmark legislative outcomes, including sweeping tax reforms, rollbacks of key provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the confirmation of a conservative Supreme Court majority that ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
The outlet argues that these accomplishments helped solidify Pence’s reputation as a stabilizing force capable of melding establishment and insurgent energy within the GOP.
Trump’s return to the presidency in 2025 brought a significant realignment in congressional leadership.
Key allies from Pence’s first term were replaced by Vice President JD Vance, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑LA), strengthening populist influence in legislative ranks.
Pence’s personal rupture with Trump was intensified by the events of January 6, 2021, when rioters directly threatened his life as he fulfilled his constitutional duty to certify the 2020 election results.
Since leaving office, Pence has focused on promoting policy‑based conservatism through AAF.
The organization’s recruitment of senior Heritage Foundation staffers—including leaders from legal, economic and research divisions—underscores a strategic commitment to principles such as economic stewardship, constitutional governance, limited regulation and Second Amendment protections.
AAF positions itself as a disciplined alternative to what it views as the GOP’s drift toward populist priorities.
On both domestic and foreign policy fronts, Pence has set himself apart from Trump‑aligned populist approaches.
He has critiqued aspects of U.S. trade policy and the administration’s handling of Ukraine, arguing that consistent support for allies and a robust international posture remain essential to American leadership.
Domestically, he opposed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for secretary of health and human services on conservative grounds, though the Senate ultimately confirmed Kennedy.
Pence’s long political career adds depth to his current influence, the Washington Examiner notes.
Before serving as vice president and governor of Indiana, he represented his state in Congress and chaired the House Republican Conference while participating in the conservative Republican Study Committee, reflecting a decades‑long commitment to principled governance and fiscal restraint.
While populist figures like Vance have gained strong early support among Republican voters in the 2028 nomination landscape—with some state primary polls showing Vance commanding a large share of GOP preference—Pence continues building institutional backing through policy campaigns, think‑tank partnerships and organizational outreach.
For example, early polling in the 2028 California Republican primary showed Vance significantly outpacing other candidates—a sign of his strong early positioning in key GOP electorates, according to RealClearPolitics.
Pence’s resurgence highlights the ongoing tension within the GOP between insurgent populism and traditional conservatism.
His influence in shaping policy debates, mentoring emerging leaders, and maintaining a platform for classical conservative values will be a defining factor in whether Reagan‑era principles retain relevance as the party evolves under Trump’s continued leadership.
