Pence called on Republican senators to oppose the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., citing concerns over Kennedy's stance on abortion. Pence’s organization, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), sent a letter to GOP lawmakers urging them to question Kennedy’s stance on abortion during his confirmation hearings. The letter highlights Kennedy’s previous comments, which reportedly include support for late-term abortions and the belief that the government should not interfere with a woman’s decision to have an abortion “even if [the baby] is full term.” AAF President Tim Chapman and Board Chairman Marc Short argued that Kennedy’s position is incompatible with the “strong, pro-life record of the first Trump Administration.”
Baris stated that Pence "has delusions that he's more important than he is," adding that he and others like him are "isolating themselves away from the where the American public is on these issues" such as health and abortion.
Posobiec agreed and pointed out that Pence is likely being "used" by pro-lifers and big pharma to have a voice for them even though he "knows that he doesn't have any political future, that he doesn't have any moment."
Baris reminded the audience that Pence was in charge of the Trump administration's Covid relief team and worked closely with Anthony Fauci, guiding then-President Trump on how serious the pandemic was and encouraging lockdowns and vaccines. RFK Jr. has a notoriously strong stance against the vaccine mandates and has resonated with conservative voters as an Independent because of this. "Of course, they don't want RFK there, and of course, they're gonna pick up the phone and call Mike Pence to do whatever they can," Baris said.
The push from Pence and his organization comes as former President Donald Trump has taken a more moderate stance on abortion heading into his second term. While Trump enacted numerous pro-life policies during his first term, he has since expressed support for exceptions to abortion bans and suggested that abortion laws should be determined on a state-by-state basis.
Kennedy’s nomination as HHS secretary is expected to spark a controversial confirmation process as he faces skepticism from lawmakers on both the left and the right.
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