Pence mulling 2024 presidential run: Americans ready to 'get back to the policies' of Trump-Pence admin
Former VP Mike Pence told FOX Business he is getting 'a lot of encouragement' to run
Mike Pence: Americans are ready to 'get back to the policies' of Trump-Pence admin
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence discusses the Biden administration, the 2024 election, economic and national security concerns in a wide-ranging interview on 'Mornings with Maria.'
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence hasn't ruled himself out as a 2024 presidential candidate, he told Maria Bartiromo on "Mornings with Maria" Friday.
"With regard to me and my family, I tell you, we continue to give prayerful consideration to entering the national race, we’re getting a lot of encouragement around the country," Pence said.
Pence's bid would mean America's 45th VP becomes a contender against his most recent boss, former President Donald Trump. Trump announced in November that he will seek the 2024 Republican nomination after having lost his bid for re-election to Joe Biden in 2020.
"I honestly believe the American people are ready for change," the former vice president said, "and they’re ready to get back to the policies that we advanced in the Trump-Pence administration."
STUART VARNEY: 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WON'T BE PRETTY, BUT IT WILL BE ENTERTAINING
Former Vice President Mike Pence revealed on "Mornings with Maria" Friday that he's entering the 2024 presidential race. (AP Newsroom)
"I really do believe the country’s in a lot of trouble," Pence added, "and now more than ever, all of us need to reflect very deeply on what we can do individually and what we can do collectively to put America back on the right path."
Although Pence takes Biden "at his word" when the current president indicates his plan to run for re-election in 2024, the former VP argued Americans recognize that border, inflation and geopolitical crises "are a direct result of the policies of the Biden administration."
"I honestly believe the American people are ready for change, and they’re ready to get back to the policies that we advanced in the Trump-Pence administration."
"The disastrous policies of this administration, that withdrawal from Afghanistan, have emboldened the enemies of freedom around the world. So we need to recommit ourselves to our national defense, secure our border," Pence said. "And secondly, I think you need to focus on getting the economy moving again, end the war on energy."
America’s "magnitude" of national debt will be left to our children and grandchildren according to the VP, who also called for an "honest conversation" about reducing the deficit.
"We can reform Social Security in a way that doesn't touch anyone in retirement today or anyone who will retire in the next 25 years. But we can replace the New Deal with a better deal for younger Americans. I think we're ready to have that conversation," Pence said. "Many people think we're not, say we don't want to talk about it, I don't think that's acceptable to my three new granddaughters, and we're going to do better."
Mike Pence: I oppose the Silicon Valley Bank bailout
Former Vice President Mike Pence discusses advancing American freedom and reacts to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse on 'Kudlow.'
Pence additionally commented on Biden’s handling of inflation and the economy, expressing his belief that the current president has "lost a step at age 80."
"As I travel all across this country, I hear one American after another telling me how much they are struggling under the weight of the worst inflation in 40 years," Pence said. "This whole economy, all the problems in our economy are self-inflicted. The runaway spending, the higher taxes, literally advancing one policy after another that's been stifling American growth. And the American people are tired of it, and I think it's setting the stage for a great American comeback."
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence could potentially compete with his former boss Donald Trump for Republicans' 2024 presidential nominee. | Getty Images
"Under a mountain range of debt," the former vice president continued, America’s youngest generations would face "nothing but bad choices."
"We've got to start to talk about common sense and compassionate reforms of entitlements for younger Americans. Otherwise, in the next 30 years, by the most reasonable estimates, we're going to add another $120 trillion to that national debt," Pence said.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Mike Pence: Immigration laws are failing the American people
Former Vice President Mike Pence gives his take on the Biden administration's leadership on 'Kudlow.'
But Pence warned that the United States isn’t doing enough to protect against its current strategic and economic threat: China.
"This administration ought to be doubling down on strengthening our economic sanctions, our economic tariffs, rather, against China," the 45th VP said. "But also, remember, Biden's new budget, essentially, once you factor in inflation, that literally is a defense cut at a time that China is building up their military and flexing muscle out in the Asia Pacific. This administration is literally cutting defense spending. Totally unacceptable."