Mike Pence#LGBT rights

File:Mike Pence in 1977 Log.jpg's 1977 yearbook]]

Pence was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana, one of six children of Ann Jane "Nancy" Cawley and Edward Joseph Pence Jr.,{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/02/mike-pences-ireland-pride-inspired-family-not-always-reciprocated/2164818001|title=Mike Pence has a deep affection for Ireland. It's not completely reciprocated|newspaper=USA Today|last=Groppe|first=Maureen|date=September 2, 2019|access-date=July 9, 2020|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709052905/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/02/mike-pences-ireland-pride-inspired-family-not-always-reciprocated/2164818001/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147392340/|title=The Republic from Columbus, Indiana · Page 1|date=April 14, 1988|access-date=November 17, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022124306/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147392340/|url-status=live}} who ran a group of gas stations.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/196928810/|page=90|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|title=Wedding Bells Ring Out For 3 S. Side Couples|date=April 5, 1956|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024102517/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/196928810/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=de la Cuetara|first=Ines|title=Mike Pence: Everything You Need to Know|work=ABC News|date=July 14, 2016|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence/story?id=40279288|access-date=July 15, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027001355/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence/story?id=40279288|url-status=live}} His father served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received the Bronze Star in 1953, which Pence displays in his office along with its commendation letter and a reception photograph.{{cite news |url=http://www.startribune.com/5-things-to-know-about-us-vice-president-mike-pence/419544163/ |title=5 things to know about US Vice President Mike Pence |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Star Tribune |date=April 15, 2017 |first=Ken |last=Thomas |access-date=April 17, 2017 |department=National |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418081517/http://www.startribune.com/5-things-to-know-about-us-vice-president-mike-pence/419544163/ |archive-date=April 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }} His father was of German and Irish descent, and his mother is of Irish ancestry.{{Cite book|last=Neal|first=Andrea|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2S5jDwAAQBAJ&q=Geraldine+Kathleen+Kuhn+Pence&pg=PT14|title=Pence: The Path to Power|date=July 11, 2018|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=978-1-68435-038-4|language=en|access-date=August 5, 2020}} His paternal grandfather, Edward Joseph Pence Sr., worked in the Chicago stockyards.{{cite web |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/23/the-danger-of-president-pence |title=The Danger of President Pence; Trump's critics yearn for his exit. But Mike Pence, the corporate right's inside man, poses his own risks. |first=Jane |last=Mayer |author-link=Jane Mayer |date=October 23, 2017 |website=Newyorker.com |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125440/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/23/the-danger-of-president-pence |url-status=live }} He was named after his maternal grandfather, Richard Michael Cawley, who emigrated from Dooncastle, Ireland, to the United States through Ellis Island and who became a bus driver in Chicago, Illinois.{{cite news |first=Jason |last=Deparle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/29/washington/star-of-the-right-loses-his-base-at-the-border.html |title=Star of the Right Loses His Base at the Border |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 29, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121082120/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/29/washington/star-of-the-right-loses-his-base-at-the-border.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mike-pence-tried-with-extraordinary-speech-about-irish-heritage-but-hillary-clinton-wins-the-biggest-cheer-of-the-night-35536251.html |first=Kevin |last=Doyle |title=Mike Pence tried with extraordinary speech about Irish heritage—but Hillary Clinton wins the biggest cheer of the night |date=March 16, 2017 |newspaper=Irish Independent |access-date=March 16, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024093723/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mike-pence-tried-with-extraordinary-speech-about-irish-heritage-but-hillary-clinton-wins-the-biggest-cheer-of-the-night-35536251.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/mike-pence-religion.html|title=Mike Pence's Journey: Catholic Democrat to Evangelical Republican|last1=Mahler|first1=Jonathan|date=July 20, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 22, 2017|last2=Johnson|first2=Dirk|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114134505/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/mike-pence-religion.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/29/how-chain-migration-brought-us-the-trump-white-house/|title=How 'chain migration' brought us the Trump White House|date=January 9, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Philip|last=Bump|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125033137/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/29/how-chain-migration-brought-us-the-trump-white-house/|url-status=live}} His maternal grandmother's parents were from Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland.{{cite news|last=Carswell|first=Simon|title=Mike Pence and Donald Trump's Irish connection: Doonbeg|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=March 21, 2013|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/mike-pence-and-donald-trump-s-irish-connection-doonbeg-1.2720970|access-date=July 15, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117084930/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/mike-pence-and-donald-trump-s-irish-connection-doonbeg-1.2720970|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://clareherald.com/2016/07/doonbeg-links-aplenty-in-us-presidential-race/|title=Doonbeg links aplenty in US Presidential race|first=Páraic|last=McMahon|date=July 15, 2016|work=ClareHerald.com|access-date=October 1, 2016|archive-date=November 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102135936/http://clareherald.com/2016/07/doonbeg-links-aplenty-in-us-presidential-race/|url-status=live}}

Pence graduated from Columbus North High School in 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hanover College in 1981, and a Juris Doctor from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis in 1986.{{Cite web | title = Biography | publisher = Office of U.S. Representative Mike Pence | access-date = July 2, 2017 | archive-date = March 6, 2012| url = http://mikepence.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=53 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120306063016/http://mikepence.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=53| url-status=dead | df = mdy-all }} While at Hanover, he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, becoming the chapter president.{{cite news|url=https://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/Pence-pegs-Holcomb--for-state-s-No--2-post-11404551|title=Pence pegs Holcomb for state's No. 2 post|last1=Kelly|first1=Niki|date=February 10, 2016|newspaper=The Journal Gazette|access-date=July 13, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027000555/https://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/Pence-pegs-Holcomb--for-state-s-No--2-post-11404551|url-status=dead}} After graduating from Hanover, he was an admissions counselor at the college from 1981 to 1983.{{cite news |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2014/05/29/gov-mike-pence-moving-center-amid-talk-presidential-run/9728025/ |title=Is Gov. Mike Pence moving to the center amid talk of presidential run? |first=Tony |last=Cook |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=May 31, 2014 |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714162857/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2014/05/29/gov-mike-pence-moving-center-amid-talk-presidential-run/9728025/ |url-status=live }}

In his childhood and early adulthood, Pence was a Roman Catholic and a Democrat, as was the rest of his family.{{cite magazine|last=Burton |first=Danielle |date=November 15, 2006 |url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/061115/15pencefacts.htm |title=What You Didn't Know About Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217091452/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/061115/15pencefacts.htm |archive-date=February 17, 2010 }} He volunteered for the Bartholomew County Democratic Party in 1976 and voted for Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election,{{cite web | last1=Eason | first1=Rrian | title=Next VP: 10 things to know about Indiana Gov. Mike Pence | url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/07/trumps-vp-10-things-know-indiana-gov-mike-pence/86746980/ | date=November 9, 2016 | publisher=IndyStar | access-date=December 4, 2016 | archive-date=December 7, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207154119/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/07/trumps-vp-10-things-know-indiana-gov-mike-pence/86746980/ | url-status=live }} and has said he was originally inspired to get involved in politics by people such as John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. While in college, Pence left the Catholic Church and became an evangelical, born-again Christian, to the disappointment of his mother. His political views also started shifting to the right during this time, something which Pence attributes to the "common-sense conservatism of Ronald Reagan" with which he began to identify.{{cite news | last1=Graham | first1=Jordan | title=Mike Pence Explains How Ronald Reagan Made Him a Republican | url=https://www.ocregister.com/2016/09/09/mike-pence-explains-how-ronald-reagan-made-him-a-republican/ | date=September 9, 2016 | newspaper=The Orange County Register |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910133732/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/nominee-728408-tells-pence.html|archive-date=September 10, 2016|url-status=live| access-date=December 4, 2016}}

After graduating from law school in 1986, Pence was an attorney in private practice.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-things-to-know_us_5787c2b1e4b0867123e02df7|title=Here's what you should know about Mike Pence|work=HuffPost|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=March 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303105251/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-things-to-know_us_5787c2b1e4b0867123e02df7|url-status=live}} In 1988, he ran for Congress against Democratic incumbent Philip Sharp, but lost.{{cite book|last=Sager|first=R.|title=The Elephant in the Room: Evangelicals, Libertarians, and the Battle to Control the Republican Party|publisher=Wiley|year=2006|isbn=978-0-471-79332-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/elephantinroomev00ryan/page/82 82]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/elephantinroomev00ryan/page/82}} He ran against Sharp again in 1990, quitting his job in order to work full-time in the campaign, but once again was unsuccessful. During the race, Pence used "political donations to pay the mortgage on his house, his personal credit card bill, groceries, golf tournament fees and car payments for his wife".{{Cite news|first1=Rosalind S.|last1=Helderman|first2=Tom|last2=Hamburger|first3=Alice|last3=Crites|date=June 15, 2016|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mike-pence-used-campaign-funds-to-pay-his-mortgage--and-it-cost-him-an-election/2016/07/15/90858964-49ed-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html|title=Mike Pence used campaign funds to pay his mortgage—and it cost him an election|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127034143/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mike-pence-used-campaign-funds-to-pay-his-mortgage--and-it-cost-him-an-election/2016/07/15/90858964-49ed-11e6-bdb9-701687974517_story.html|url-status=live}} While the spending was not illegal at the time, it reportedly undermined his campaign.

File:Pence with Reagan at White House, 1988.png at the White House in 1988]]

During the 1990 campaign, Pence ran a television advertisement in which an actor, dressed in a robe and headdress and speaking in a thick Middle Eastern accent, thanked his opponent, Sharp, for doing nothing to wean the United States off imported oil as chairman of a House subcommittee on energy and power.{{cite news |title=Arab Group Says Pence TV Ad Is Offensive|agency=Associated Press|work=Post-Tribune|date=October 12, 1990 }} In response to criticism, Pence's campaign responded that the advertisement was not about Arabs; rather, it concerned Sharp's lack of leadership. In 1991, Pence wrote an essay published in the Indiana Policy Review in which he apologized for running negative ads against Sharp. Pence vowed to refrain from using insulting speech or running ads that belittle his adversaries.{{Cite web|date=July 14, 2016|title=Mike Pence Fast Facts—CNN Politics|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/us/mike-pence-fast-facts/index.html|access-date=March 7, 2021|website=CNN|language=en|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226111727/https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/us/mike-pence-fast-facts/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Pence |first=Mike |title=Confessions of a negative campaigner |url=http://www.cybertext.net/pence/confess.html |work=Indiana Policy Review |date=Summer 1991 |pages=5–6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010305130534/http://www.cybertext.net/pence/confess.html |archive-date=March 5, 2001 |url-status=dead }} Also taking place in 1991, he became the president of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, a self-described free-market think tank and a member of the State Policy Network, a position he held until 1993.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/07/pence-indiana-governor-profile/1690049/ |title=Profile: Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Pence |first=Karly |last=Moll |newspaper=USA Today |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026025201/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/07/pence-indiana-governor-profile/1690049/ |url-status=live }}In a 1992 article for the monthly Indiana Policy Review, Pence likened Bayh's and Coats's attempt at blocking out-of-state trash from landing in Hoosier landfills to Nazis seizing Jewish assets.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/mike-pence-nazi-essay-225906 |title=Mike Pence once compared Evan Bayh and Dan Coats to Nazis |newspaper=Politico |date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=May 17, 2017 |first=Daniel |last=Samuelsohn |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115144/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/mike-pence-nazi-essay-225906 |url-status=live }}

Shortly after his first congressional campaign in 1988, radio station WRCR-FM in Rushville, Indiana, hired Pence to host a weekly half-hour radio show, Washington Update with Mike Pence. In 1992, Pence began hosting a daily talk show on WRCR, The Mike Pence Show, in addition to a Saturday show on WNDE in Indianapolis.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TOQuu-1EpowC&pg=PA19950 |title=Congressional Record: Proceedings and debates of the 147th Congress, First Session|page=19950|volume=147|issue=14|isbn=9780160924286|date=June 4, 2014|author1=Congress|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office }}{{cite web|title=Mike Pence and His Family |url=http://www.cybertext.net/pence/bio.html |work=Mike Pence for Congress |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010119095000/http://www.cybertext.net/pence/bio.html |archive-date=January 19, 2001 |url-status=dead }} Pence called himself "Rush Limbaugh on decaf" since he considered himself politically conservative while not as bombastic as Limbaugh.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/07/14/486032078/5-things-to-know-about-mike-pence|title=5 Things To Know About Mike Pence|publisher=NPR|date=July 14, 2016|first=Domenica|last=Montanaro|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207232558/https://www.npr.org/2016/07/14/486032078/5-things-to-know-about-mike-pence|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Hear Mike Here!|url=http://www.wibc.com/people/pence/mradlist.html|publisher=WIBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000611101202/http://www.wibc.com/people/pence/mradlist.html|archive-date=June 11, 2000}} Beginning on April 11, 1994, Network Indiana syndicated The Mike Pence Show statewide.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/107364701/|title=Pence to syndicate|work=The Indianapolis Star|page=B7|date=February 24, 1994|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024090324/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/107364701/|url-status=live}} The program reached as many as 18 radio stations in Indiana, including WIBC in Indianapolis.{{cite web|url=https://libraries.indiana.edu/mike-pence-congressional-papers|title=Mike Pence Congressional Papers|publisher=Indiana University|year=2014|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209095604/https://libraries.indiana.edu/mike-pence-congressional-papers|url-status=live}} From 1995, Pence also hosted a weekend public affairs TV show likewise titled The Mike Pence Show on Indianapolis TV station WNDY.{{cite news|title=The kind conservative|last=Hall|first=Steve|work=The Indianapolis Star|date=September 11, 1995|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/107623757/ C1], [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/107623759/ C2]}}{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/mike_pence.html|title=Arena Profile: Mike Pence|newspaper=Politico|year=2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012093146/http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/mike_pence.html|archive-date=October 12, 2010|access-date=November 28, 2014|url-status=dead}} Pence ended his radio and television shows in 1999 to focus on his 2000 campaign for Congress, which he eventually won.{{cite web|url=http://www.therepublic.com/2017/01/18/pence-used-radio-show-to-build-name/|title=Pence used radio show to build name|last=Trares|first=Ryan|work=The Republic|place=Columbus, Indiana|date=January 17, 2017|access-date=April 24, 2018|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023224423/http://www.therepublic.com/2017/01/18/pence-used-radio-show-to-build-name/|url-status=live}}

Running for the U.S. House of Representatives again in 2000, he won the seat in {{ushr|IN|2}} after six-year incumbent David M. McIntosh opted to run for governor of Indiana. The 2nd district (renumbered the 6th in 2002) comprised all or portions of 19 counties in eastern Indiana. As a new congressman, Pence adopted the slogan he had used on the radio, describing himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order". In 2016, House speaker Paul Ryan described Pence as a "principled conservative".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/mike-pence-vice-president.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519225749/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/mike-pence-vice-president.html |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Mike Pence Emerging as a Commanding Figure in Trump Administration |first=Carl |last=Hulse |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 11, 2016 |access-date=January 14, 2018 }} While in Congress, Pence belonged to the Tea Party Caucus.{{cite web |first=Janie |last=Lorber |url=https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/tea-party-caucus-tackles-racism-charge/ |title=Tea Party Caucus Tackles Racism Charge |work=The New York Times |date=July 21, 2010 |access-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002051312/https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/tea-party-caucus-tackles-racism-charge/ |url-status=live }}

File:Mike Pence, official portrait, 112th Congress.jpg]]

In his first year in office, Pence opposed President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act in 2001,{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/at-first-official-event-pence-trump-set-sights-on-clinton-vow-to-restore-prosperity-safety-to-america|title=At first official event, Pence, Trump set sights on Clinton, vow to restore prosperity, safety to America|date=July 16, 2016|access-date=July 16, 2016|publisher=Fox News|department=Republican Convention|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806140700/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/07/16/trump-says-pence-will-help-return-us-to-safe-and-prosperous-society-in-first-official-appearance-as-running-mates.html|url-status=live}} as well as President Bush's Medicare prescription drug expansion in 2003. Pence was re-elected four more times by comfortable margins. In the 2006, 2008, and 2010 House elections, he defeated Democrat Barry Welsh.{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/2006_Election_Report.pdf |title=2006 Indiana Election Report |publisher=Indiana Election Division |date=March 28, 2007 |access-date=January 24, 2017 |pages=10, 62, 69–70, 110 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025101901/http://in.gov/sos/elections/files/2006_Election_Report.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/AR-M550N_20120404_152743.pdf |title=2008 Indiana Election Report |publisher=Indiana Election Division |date=May 24, 2009 |access-date=January 24, 2017 |pages=14, 56, 66–67, 104 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115184543/https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/AR-M550N_20120404_152743.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/2010_ELECTION_RESULTS_155618.pdf |title=2010 Indiana Election Report |publisher=Indiana Election Division |pages=15, 61, 69, 111 |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223031043/http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/2010_ELECTION_RESULTS_155618.pdf |url-status=dead }}

File:20171 Mike Pence with US-Soldiers in Mosul, Iraq 2006.jpg, in 2006.]]

Pence began to climb the party leadership structure and from 2005 to 2007 was chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative House Republicans.{{cite news |first=Shane |last=Harris |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/15/donald-trump-and-mike-pence-two-newbies-one-dangerous-world.html |title=Donald Trump and Mike Pence: Two Newbies, One Dangerous World |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-date=December 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215041512/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/15/donald-trump-and-mike-pence-two-newbies-one-dangerous-world.html |url-status=live }} In November 2006, Pence announced his candidacy for leader of the Republican Party (minority leader) in the United States House of Representatives.{{cite press release |url=http://mikepence.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=52427 |title=Pence Announces Candidacy for Republican Leader |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114010833/http://mikepence.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=52427 |date=November 8, 2006 |archive-date=November 14, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 19, 2017 |publisher=Office of U.S. Representative Mike Pence |first=Mike |last=Pence}} Pence's release announcing his run for minority leader focused on a "return to the values" of the Newt Gingrich-headed 1994 Republican Revolution. However, he lost the bid to Representative John Boehner of Ohio by a vote of 168 for Boehner, 27 for Pence, and one for Representative Joe Barton of Texas.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15765503 |title=Boehner elected as Republican leader: Succeeds Hastert in top GOP role in Democratic-controlled House |agency=Associated Press |date=November 17, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |work=NBC News |department=Politics |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035441/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/15765503/ |url-status=live }} In January 2009, Pence was elected as the Republican Conference chairman, the third-highest-ranking Republican leadership position at the time behind Minority Leader John Boehner and Republican whip Eric Cantor. He ran unopposed and was elected unanimously. He was the first representative from Indiana to hold a House leadership position since 1981.{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20081119/NEWS05/811190387|title=U.S. Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana to get House GOP's No. 3 leadership job|date=November 19, 2008|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|access-date=November 20, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129081041/http://www.indystar.com/article/20081119/NEWS05/811190387|archive-date=January 29, 2015|first=Maureen|last=Groppe}} During Pence's twelve years in the House, he introduced 90 bills and resolutions; none became law.{{cite news |first1=Michael |last1=Barbaro |first2=Monica |last2=Davey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/us/politics/mike-pence-history.html |title=Mike Pence: A Conservative Proudly Out of Sync With His Times |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-date=August 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809220644/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/us/politics/mike-pence-history.html |url-status=live }} His committee assignments in the House were the following:

• 107th Congress (2001–2003): Agriculture, Judiciary, Small Business{{cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41140 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 107th Congress |publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives |access-date=May 19, 2017 |page=27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101108/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41140 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}
• 108th Congress (2003–2005): Agriculture, International Relations, Judiciary{{cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15032392049 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 108th Congress |publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives |date=October 14, 2004 |page=57 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101043/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=15032392049 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}
• 109th Congress (2005–2007): Agriculture, International Relations, Judiciary{{cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41141 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 109th Congress (final ed.) |publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives |access-date=May 19, 2017 |page=27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230013104/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41141 |archive-date=December 30, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
• 110th Congress (2007–2009): Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Select Committee to Investigate the Voting Irregularities of August 2, 2007 (Ranking Member){{cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41142 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 110th Congress (final ed.) |publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives |access-date=May 19, 2017 |page=27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922100938/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41142 |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |url-status=dead }}
• 111th Congress (2009–2011): Foreign Affairs{{cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41143 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 111th Congress (final ed.) |publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives |access-date=May 19, 2017 |page=27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229205116/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41143 |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
• 112th Congress (2011–2013): Foreign Affairs, Judiciary{{cite web |url=http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41143 |title=Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 112th Congress (final ed.) |publisher=Clerk of the House of Representatives |date=December 27, 2012 |page=13 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229205116/http://historycms.house.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=41143 |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

In 2008, Esquire magazine listed Pence as one of the ten best members of Congress, writing that Pence's "unalloyed traditional conservatism has repeatedly pitted him against his party elders".{{cite magazine |url=http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a5110/10-best-members-congress-text/ |title=The 10 Best Members of Congress |magazine=Esquire |date=October 15, 2008 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105171809/https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a5110/10-best-members-congress-text/ |url-status=live }} Pence was mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for president in 2008{{cite news |first=Amber |last=Phillips |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/14/10-things-you-should-know-about-mike-pence-who-may-join-donald-trump-on-the-gop-ticket/ |title=Who is Mike Pence? |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |department=The Fix |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213142632/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/14/10-things-you-should-know-about-mike-pence-who-may-join-donald-trump-on-the-gop-ticket/ |url-status=live }} and 2012.{{cite news |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/06/24/1976019.aspx|title=Curse of the 2012 GOP candidate?|last1=Montenaro|first1=Domenico|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627101912/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/06/24/1976019.aspx|archive-date=June 27, 2009 |publisher=MSN|date=July 13, 2016|access-date=May 19, 2017}} In September 2010, he was the top choice for president in a straw poll conducted by the Values Voter Summit.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-sep-19-la-na-values-voter-20100919-story.html |title=GOP Rep. Mike Pence gets nod for 2012 presidential run |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=April 3, 2015 |first=Michael A. |last=Memoli |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917233808/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/19/nation/la-na-values-voter-20100919 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=O'Donnell|first=Kelly|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/team-trump-plans-public-event-friday-vp-pick-n608161|title=Team Trump Plans Public Event Friday With VP Pick|work=NBC News|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016|archive-date=August 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823104825/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/team-trump-plans-public-event-friday-vp-pick-n608161|url-status=live}} That same year, he was encouraged to run against incumbent Democratic senator Evan Bayh,{{cite news |date=December 21, 2009|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/12/kristol_draft_pence.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125084532/http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/12/kristol_draft_pence.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2010|title=Kristol: Draft Pence!|work=The Weekly Standard|access-date=January 31, 2010|last=Kristol|first=William}}{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/01/is-pence-inspired-031707 |date=January 20, 2010 |title=Is Pence inspired? |first=Josh |last=Kraushaar |newspaper=Politico |access-date=January 31, 2010 |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514092853/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31707.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|first=Norman|last=Cox|url=http://www.theindychannel.com/news/politics/bayh-criticizes-ultraliberal-leanings-after-gop-upset|title=Bayh Criticizes 'Ultraliberal' Leanings After GOP Upset WRTV Indianapolis|publisher=WRTV 6|date=January 20, 2010|access-date=January 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927194056/http://www.theindychannel.com/news/politics/bayh-criticizes-ultraliberal-leanings-after-gop-upset|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=dead}} but opted not to enter the race,{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Hamby |url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/15/pence-will-not-seek-bayh-seat/ |title=Pence will not seek Bayh seat |work=CNN |date=February 15, 2010 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-date=October 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028034104/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/15/pence-will-not-seek-bayh-seat/ |url-status=dead }} even after Bayh unexpectedly announced that he would retire.{{cite news |first=Jake |last=Sherman |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/02/pence-declines-again-on-bayh-seat-032973 |title=Pence declines again on Bayh seat |newspaper=Politico |date=February 15, 2010 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815194908/http://www.politico.com/story/2010/02/pence-declines-again-on-bayh-seat-032973 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2012 Indiana gubernatorial election}}

File:Indiana National Guard welcomes new Commander in Chief 04 (cropped to focus on swearing in).jpg

In May 2011, Pence announced that he would be seeking the Republican nomination for governor of Indiana in 2012.{{cite news|last=Montopoli|first=Brian|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-says-he-wont-run-for-president/|title=Mike Pence Says he Won't Run for President|work=CBS News|date=January 27, 2011|access-date=December 15, 2011}} Incumbent Republican governor Mitch Daniels was term-limited. Pence ran on a platform that touted the successes of his predecessor and promised to continue educational reform and business deregulation of Daniels.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Brandon|url=https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/pence-vows-business-regulation-elected-governor-32031/|title=Pence Vows No New Business Regulation If Elected Governor|publisher=Indiana Public Media|date=June 27, 2012|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-date=May 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512115434/https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/pence-vows-business-regulation-elected-governor-32031/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Brandon|url=https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/daniels-pence-promise-continue-education-reform-39750/|title=Daniels And Pence Vow To Continue Education Reform|publisher=Indiana Public Media|date=November 7, 2012|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-date=March 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301035123/http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/daniels-pence-promise-continue-education-reform-39750/|url-status=dead}} The Democratic nominee was former Indiana speaker of the House John R. Gregg. Despite strong name recognition and a popular outgoing governor of the same party, Pence found himself in a heated race, eventually pulling out a close win with just under 50 percent of the vote, and less than 3% ahead of Gregg, with Libertarian nominee Rupert Boneham receiving most of the remaining votes.{{cite news|url=http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/06/14973266-pence-in-as-governor-of-indiana-hassan-wins-nh?lite|title=Pence in as governor of Indiana; Hassan wins N.H.|work=NBC News|date=November 6, 2012|access-date=December 17, 2012|archive-date=December 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219074605/http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/06/14973266-pence-in-as-governor-of-indiana-hassan-wins-nh?lite|url-status=live}} It was the closest race in 50 years.{{cite web |last=Stidman |first=Eric |url=http://wthitv.com/2015/04/20/john-gregg-eyes-governors-seat-for-2016/ |title=John Gregg eyes governor's seat for 2016 |publisher=WTHITV.com |date=April 20, 2015 |access-date=June 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613173227/http://wthitv.com/2015/04/20/john-gregg-eyes-governors-seat-for-2016/ |archive-date=June 13, 2015 |url-status=dead }}

Pence was sworn in as the 50th governor of Indiana on January 14, 2013.{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Carden |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-sworn-in-as-indiana-s-th-governor/article_f2983b08-d136-509c-930b-6c8c62c81e65.html |title=Pence sworn in as Indiana's 50th governor |work=The Times of Northwest Indiana |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026150823/https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-sworn-in-as-indiana-s-th-governor/article_f2983b08-d136-509c-930b-6c8c62c81e65.html |url-status=live }}

Pence "inherited a $2{{spaces}}billion budget reserve from his predecessor, Mitch Daniels, and the state{{spaces}}... added to that reserve under his watch, though not before requiring state agencies, including public universities, to reduce funding in years in which revenue fell below projections".{{cite news|title=Mike Pence Brings Conservative Bona Fides to Donald Trump Ticket|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-brings-conservative-bona-fides-to-donald-trump-ticket-1468799412|access-date=July 18, 2016|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 17, 2016|first=Nick|last=Timiraos|archive-date=July 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719141234/http://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-brings-conservative-bona-fides-to-donald-trump-ticket-1468799412|url-status=live}} The state finished fiscal year 2014 with a reserve of $2{{spaces}}billion; budget cuts ordered by Pence for the $14{{spaces}}billion annual state budget include $24{{spaces}}million cut from colleges and universities; $27{{spaces}}million cut from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA);{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/fssa/4839.htm|title=FSSA Mission and Vision|publisher=State of Indiana|access-date=May 18, 2017|website=in.gov|archive-date=May 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516060917/http://in.gov/fssa/4839.htm|url-status=live}} and $12{{spaces}}million cut from the Department of Correction.{{cite news |first=Maureen |last=Hayden |url=http://www.tribstar.com/news/state-reports-budget-surplus-billion-in-reserves/article_311ce759-e38e-5b03-af6c-d7dfd0cecbd3.html |title=State reports budget surplus, $2{{spaces}}billion in reserves |publisher=Community Newspaper Holdings Indiana Statehouse Bureau |date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |newspaper=Tribune Star |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027091656/https://www.tribstar.com/news/state-reports-budget-surplus-billion-in-reserves/article_311ce759-e38e-5b03-af6c-d7dfd0cecbd3.html |url-status=live }} During Pence's term as governor, the unemployment rate reflected the national average.{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/fact-checking-trump-s-first-appearance-running-mate-mike-pence-n610871 |title=Fact-Checking Trump's First Appearance With Running Mate Mike Pence |work=NBC News |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |department=Politics: 2016 Election |archive-date=August 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819022955/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/fact-checking-trump-s-first-appearance-running-mate-mike-pence-n610871 |url-status=live }} Indiana's job growth lagged slightly behind the national trend.{{Cite web|first=Brooks|last=Jackson|url=http://www.factcheck.org/2016/07/pence-on-employment-record/|title=Pence on Employment Record|website=FactCheck.org|publisher=Annenberg Public Policy Center|date=July 21, 2016|department=The Wire|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-date=May 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530001608/http://www.factcheck.org/2016/07/pence-on-employment-record/|url-status=live}} In 2014, Indiana's economy was among the slowest-growing in the United States, with 0.4 percent GDP growth, compared to the national average of 2.2 percent; this was attributed in part to a sluggish manufacturing sector.{{cite news |first=Maureen |last=Groppe |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/06/10/indianas-economy-growing-slowly-us-average/71030396/ |title=Indiana's Economy Growing More Slowly Than U.S. Average |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121151216/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/06/10/indianas-economy-growing-slowly-us-average/71030396/ |url-status=live }} Carrier Corp. and United Technologies Electronic Controls (UTEC) announced in 2016 that they would be closing two facilities in Indiana, sending 2,100 jobs to Mexico; the Trump campaign criticized the moves and Pence expressed "deep disappointment".{{cite news |first=Kris |last=Turner |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/15/joe-donnelly-blames-carrier-closing-cheap-labor-chase/80413488/ |title=Sen. Joe Donnelly, Gov. Mike Pence react to Carrier, UTEC sending 2,100 Hoosier jobs to Mexico |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=February 15, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518100942/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/15/joe-donnelly-blames-carrier-closing-cheap-labor-chase/80413488/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Matt |last1=Adams |first2=Matt |last2=Smith |url=http://fox59.com/2016/03/02/gov-pence-to-meet-with-carrier-executives-about-move-to-mexico/ |title=Gov. Pence meets with Carrier executives about move to Mexico |publisher=WXIN |date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829121759/http://fox59.com/2016/03/02/gov-pence-to-meet-with-carrier-executives-about-move-to-mexico/ |url-status=live }} Pence was unsuccessful in his efforts to persuade the companies to stay in the state, although the companies agreed to reimburse local and state governments for certain tax incentives they had received.{{cite news |first=Kris |last=Turner |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2016/03/02/nothing-comes-meeting-between-gov-pence-head-carrier-utec/81220606/ |title=Carrier, UTEC agree to reimburse incentives after meeting with Gov. Pence |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109220910/http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2016/03/02/nothing-comes-meeting-between-gov-pence-head-carrier-utec/81220606/ |url-status=live }} The Indiana Economic Development Corporation led by Pence had approved $24{{spaces}}million in incentives to ten companies who sent jobs abroad. $8.7{{spaces}}million had been paid out by August 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/28/under-pence-state-gave-incentives-companies-offshored-jobs/89260966/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905202932/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/28/under-pence-state-gave-incentives-companies-offshored-jobs/89260966/ |title=Under Mike Pence, Indiana gave incentives to companies that offshored jobs |date=August 28, 2016 |first=Tony |last=Cook |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=November 22, 2016 |archive-date=September 5, 2016 |url-status=live |quote=List of Incentives and offshoring under Gov. Mike Pence }}

File:Gov. Mike Pence at the Memorial Service at the Indiana War memorial on Veterans Day.jpg, 2014.]]

In 2013, Pence signed a law blocking local governments in Indiana from requiring businesses to offer higher wages or benefits beyond those required by federal law. In 2015, Pence also signed the repeal of an Indiana law that required construction companies working on publicly funded projects to pay a prevailing wage.{{Cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-minimum-wage_us_578a8c22e4b0867123e190fd |title=Mike Pence Once Thought A $7.25 Minimum Wage Was Too High |first=Sam |last=Levine |date=July 16, 2016 |website=HuffPost |access-date=July 17, 2016 |archive-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716230401/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mike-pence-minimum-wage_us_578a8c22e4b0867123e190fd |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Mahoney |url=https://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-shift/2016/07/pence-on-labor-four-house-dems-attack-ot-rule-the-future-of-the-persuader-rule-215354 |title=Pence on labor |newspaper=Politico |department=Morning Shift |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522032323/http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-shift/2016/07/pence-on-labor-four-house-dems-attack-ot-rule-the-future-of-the-persuader-rule-215354 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/indiana-unlikely-to-boost-minimum-wage-despite-widespread-support/article_a5cf1ebf-43aa-599d-9516-d1de423ea80b.html|title=Indiana unlikely to boost minimum wage despite widespread support|first=Dan|last=Carden|newspaper=The Times of Northwest Indiana|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-date=May 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528095148/http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/indiana-unlikely-to-boost-minimum-wage-despite-widespread-support/article_a5cf1ebf-43aa-599d-9516-d1de423ea80b.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-signs-repeal-of-common-construction-wage/article_ba0c883c-1ee8-5403-824c-3af2c1eb36c8.html|title=Pence signs repeal of common construction wage|access-date=July 17, 2016|first=Dan|last=Carden|newspaper=The Times of Northwest Indiana|archive-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709233607/http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-signs-repeal-of-common-construction-wage/article_ba0c883c-1ee8-5403-824c-3af2c1eb36c8.html|url-status=live}} Indiana had enacted right-to-work legislation under Pence's predecessor, Republican governor Mitch Daniels. Under Pence, the state successfully defended this legislation against a labor challenge. In 2013, Pence also announced the formation of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, a life sciences research facility supported with $25{{spaces}}million in startup funds from the state.{{cite web|url= https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/pence-pick-trump-just-made-womens-health-top-tier-election-issue|title= With Pence pick, Trump just made women's health a top-tier election issue|last= Nather|first= David|publisher= PBS|date= July 16, 2016|access-date= June 22, 2017|archive-date= June 30, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170630025959/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/pence-pick-trump-just-made-womens-health-top-tier-election-issue/|url-status= live}}

Pence made tax reform, namely a ten percent income-tax rate cut, a priority for 2013.{{cite news |last=Rucker |first=Philip |date=December 12, 2014 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mike-pence-lays-out-a-vision-for-presidential-campaign-but-will-he-be-a-candidate/2014/12/11/0988c650-7cbd-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html |title=Mike Pence Lays Out Vision for a Presidential Campaign. But Will He Be a Candidate? |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 1, 2015 |archive-date=December 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228153053/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mike-pence-lays-out-a-vision-for-presidential-campaign-but-will-he-be-a-candidate/2014/12/11/0988c650-7cbd-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323968304578245720280333676 |title=Review & Outlook: The State Tax Reformers: More Governors look to repeal their income taxes |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=January 31, 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705070303/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323968304578245720280333676 |url-status=live }} While he did not get the ten percent cut he advocated, Pence did accomplish his goal of cutting state taxes. Legislators cut the income tax by five percent and also killed the inheritance tax. Speaker of the House Brian Bosma said the legislative package was the "largest tax cut in our state's history, about $1.1{{spaces}}billion dollars".{{cite magazine |last=Trinko |first=Katrina |date=May 7, 2013 |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/article/347500/governor-pence%E2%80%99s-indiana-tax-win |title=Governor Pence's Indiana-Tax Win |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195154/http://www.nationalreview.com/article/347500/governor-pence%E2%80%99s-indiana-tax-win |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |magazine=National Review |access-date= January 1, 2015 }} By signing Senate Bill 1, the state corporate income tax would be dropped from 6.5 percent to 4.9 percent by 2021, which would be the second-lowest corporate income tax in the nation.{{cite news |last=Cook |first=Tony |date=March 14, 2015 |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/25/gov-mike-pence-sign-business-tax-cuts/6859237/ |title=Gov. Mike Pence Signs Off on Business Tax Cuts |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=July 22, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108225557/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2014/03/25/gov-mike-pence-sign-business-tax-cuts/6859237/ |url-status=live }} The law also permitted Indiana counties to eliminate the business personal property tax on new equipment and let them exempt small businesses with less than $20,000 worth of equipment from paying personal property taxes.

On June 12, 2013, the Indiana Legislature overrode Pence's veto of a bill to retroactively authorize a local tax. Lawmakers overrode his veto by a 68–23 vote in the House and a 34–12 one in the Senate.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=June 12, 2013 |url=http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archives/article_33e315ea-b1f5-5d7f-a99b-ffeb6231b818.html |title=Indiana Lawmakers Override Pence on Local Tax Measure |newspaper=The Herald Bulletin |access-date=January 1, 2015 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030202615/https://www.heraldbulletin.com/archives/article_33e315ea-b1f5-5d7f-a99b-ffeb6231b818.html |url-status=live }} Republican legislators overwhelmingly voted against Pence, while most Democrats supported his veto.{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Mary Beth |date=June 12, 2013 |url=http://www.indystar.com/article/20130612/NEWS05/306120072/Indiana-lawmakers-override-Gov-Mike-Pence-s-veto-resolve-county-tax-mixup |title=Indiana Lawmakers Override Gov. Mike Pence's Veto, Resolve County Tax Mixup |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101201806/http://www.indystar.com/article/20130612/NEWS05/306120072/Indiana-lawmakers-override-Gov-Mike-Pence-s-veto-resolve-county-tax-mixup |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=January 1, 2015 }} The Jackson–Pulaski tax fix, one of three bills vetoed by Pence during the session, addressed a 15-year-old county income tax that had been imposed to fund the construction of jail facilities with the stipulation that the tax be lowered by one percent after the first several years. The reduction had not been implemented and thus county residents had been paying an additional one percent tax that they were legally not required to pay. The bill, which was passed by a huge majority of legislators and subsequently vetoed by Pence, allowed money to be kept and not returned to the taxpayers as would have otherwise been necessary.{{cite news |date=June 12, 2013 |url=http://www.wibc.com/blogs/legislature-overrides-pence-veto-jackson-pulaski-tax-fix |title=Legislature Overrides Pence Veto of Jackson-Pulaski Tax Fix |publisher=WIBC-FM 93.1 |access-date=January 1, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195617/http://www.wibc.com/blogs/legislature-overrides-pence-veto-jackson-pulaski-tax-fix |url-status=dead }}

As governor, Pence pressed for a balanced budget amendment to the state's constitution. He initially proposed the initiative in his State of the State address in January 2015. The legislation passed the state Senate.{{cite news|title=Pence's balanced budget amendment advancing in Legislature|url=http://wishtv.com/2015/03/08/pences-balanced-budget-amendment-advancing-in-legislature/|access-date=July 14, 2016|publisher=WISH-TV|date=March 8, 2015|agency=Associated Press|first=Tom|last=Davies|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818051446/http://wishtv.com/2015/03/08/pences-balanced-budget-amendment-advancing-in-legislature/|url-status=live}} Indiana has had AAA credit ratings with the three major credit-rating agencies since 2010, before Pence took office; these ratings were maintained throughout Pence's tenure.{{cite news|title=S&P affirms Indiana bond rating|url=http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/S-P-affirms-Indiana-bond-rating-12341983|access-date=July 18, 2016|newspaper=Journal Gazette|date=April 1, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816181917/http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/S-P-affirms-Indiana-bond-rating-12341983|url-status=dead}}

In 2014, Pence supported the Indiana Gateway project,{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/indot/3373.htm|title=Indiana Gateway Project|publisher=INDOT|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211082037/http://www.in.gov/indot/3373.htm|url-status=live}} a $71.4{{spaces}}million passenger and freight rail improvement initiative paid for by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the federal stimulus package), which Pence had voted against while a congressman.{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Carden |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-sweetens-on-stimulus-as-state-benefits/article_fd09e549-992a-50f0-8776-013d6634755a.html |title=Pence sweetens on stimulus as state benefits |newspaper=The Times of Northwest Indiana |date=June 1, 2014 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721222932/http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-sweetens-on-stimulus-as-state-benefits/article_fd09e549-992a-50f0-8776-013d6634755a.html |url-status=live }} In October 2015, Pence "announced plans to pay off a $250{{spaces}}million federal loan" to cover unemployment insurance payments which had spiked during the recession. In March 2016, Pence signed legislation to fund a $230{{spaces}}million two-year road-funding package.

During his tenure as governor, Pence supported significant increases in education funding to pre-schools, voucher programs, and charter schools, but frequently clashed with supporters of traditional public schools.{{cite news |first=Alyson |last=Klein |url=http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/07/like_trump_pence_favors_school.html |title=Indiana's Pence, Trump VP Pick: Pro-School Choice, Anti-Common Core |work=EducationWeek |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130203924/http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/07/like_trump_pence_favors_school.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Elliott |url=https://chalkbeat.org/posts/in/2015/07/13/the-basics-of-mike-pence-on-education-a-battle-for-control/ |title=The basics of Mike Pence on education: A battle for control |work=Chalkbeat |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221010111/https://chalkbeat.org/posts/in/2015/07/13/the-basics-of-mike-pence-on-education-a-battle-for-control/ |url-status=live }} In 2014, a little over one year after taking office, Pence helped establish a $10-million state preschool pilot program in Indiana and testified personally before the state Senate Education Committee in favor of the program to convince fellow Republicans (several of whom opposed the proposal) to approve the plan. Although the plan was initially defeated, Pence successfully managed to revive it, "getting Indiana off the list of just 10 states that spent no direct funds to help poor children attend preschool". Demand for enrollment in the program "far outstripped" capacity, and Pence at first refused to apply for up to $80{{spaces}}million in federal Health and Human Services Preschool Development Grant program funding, arguing that "Indiana must develop our own pre-K program without federal intrusion".{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Howey |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/brian-howey/brian-howey-pence-takes-heat-over-pre-k-federal-funds/article_dbbd7051-f2b5-53c1-8755-e1d2d9d2ff47.html |title=Pence takes heat over pre-K federal funds |work=Times of Northwest Indiana |date=October 26, 2014 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026215250/https://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/brian-howey/brian-howey-pence-takes-heat-over-pre-k-federal-funds/article_dbbd7051-f2b5-53c1-8755-e1d2d9d2ff47.html |url-status=live }} After coming under sustained criticism for this position, Pence reversed course and sought to apply for the funds.{{cite news |first1=Tony |last1=Cook |first2=Chelsea |last2=Schneider |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/02/-face-pence-expresses-interest-federal-pre-k-grant/85299438/ |title=In an about-face, Pence expresses interest in federal pre-K grant |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125105751/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/02/-face-pence-expresses-interest-federal-pre-k-grant/85299438/ |url-status=live }}

In 2015, Pence secured significant increases in charter-school funding from the legislation, although he did not get everything he had proposed. Legislation signed into law by Pence in 2013 greatly increased the number of students in Indiana who qualify for school vouchers, making it one of the largest voucher programs in the United States.{{cite news |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/41267-pence-signs-indiana-voucher-expansion-bill |title=Pence signs Indiana voucher expansion bill |agency=Associated Press |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024143846/https://www.ibj.com/articles/41267-pence-signs-indiana-voucher-expansion-bill |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Carden |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-signs-law-expanding-school-voucher-eligibility/article_03841210-1ef2-5b47-ae7b-f7a0a1f4252f.html |title=Pence signs law expanding school voucher eligibility |work=Times of Northwest Indiana |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029041749/https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/pence-signs-law-expanding-school-voucher-eligibility/article_03841210-1ef2-5b47-ae7b-f7a0a1f4252f.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Eric |last1=Weddle |first2=Claire |last2=McInerny |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/07/20/486654015/what-did-pence-do-for-schools-as-governor-heres-a-look |title=What Did Mike Pence Do For Indiana Schools As Governor? Here's a Look |work=NPR |date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=April 4, 2018 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022070121/https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/07/20/486654015/what-did-pence-do-for-schools-as-governor-heres-a-look |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Chelsea |last1=Schneider |first2=Tony |last2=Cook |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2016/07/18/report-private-school-vouchers-cost-state-53-million/87254558/ |title=Are vouchers costing or saving taxpayer dollars? |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=July 18, 2016 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113021111/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2016/07/18/report-private-school-vouchers-cost-state-53-million/87254558/ |url-status=live }} The annual cost of the program was estimated to be $53{{spaces}}million for the 2015–2016 school year.

Pence opposed the Common Core State Standards Initiative, calling for the repeal of the standards in his 2014 State of the State address. The Indiana General Assembly then passed a bill to repeal the standards, becoming the first state to do so. In a televised interview appearance with Chris Matthews, Pence advocated for putting creationism on a par with science in public schools, accepting creationist beliefs as factual, and thus teaching the controversy over evolution and natural selection, and regarding the age of the Earth, and letting students decide for themselves what to believe.{{cite magazine |first=Rebecca |last=Boyle |url=http://www.popsci.com/top-5-worst-mike-pence-quotes-on-science |title=Trump VP Choice Mike Pence Doesn't Agree With Science: Smoking doesn't kill, teach the controversy, and more quotes from the candidate |magazine=Popular Science |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507201237/http://www.popsci.com/top-5-worst-mike-pence-quotes-on-science |url-status=live }}

Despite successful advocacy for more funding for pre-schools, voucher programs, and charter schools, Pence has frequently clashed with teachers unions and supporters of public schooling. In one of his first acts as governor, Pence removed control of the Educational Employment Relations Board, which was in charge of handling conflicts between unions and school boards, from Glenda Ritz, a Democrat who was the Indiana superintendent of public instruction (a separately elected position in the state).{{Cite web |url=http://www.educationdive.com/news/republican-backed-bill-would-shift-power-from-indiana-ed-chief/358572/ |first=Allie |last=Gross |title=Republican-backed bill would shift power from Indiana ed chief |work=educationdive.com |date=January 30, 2015 |access-date=July 17, 2016 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029075916/https://www.educationdive.com/news/republican-backed-bill-would-shift-power-from-indiana-ed-chief/358572/ |url-status=live }} Pence created a new "Center for Education and Career Innovation" (CECI) to coordinate efforts between schools and the private sector; Ritz opposed the center, viewing it as a "power grab" and encroachment on her own duties. Pence eventually disestablished the center in order to help defuse the conflict. In May 2015, Pence signed a bill stripping Ritz of much of her authority over standardized testing and other education issues, and reconstituting the State Board of Education dominated by Pence appointees.{{cite news |first=Tom |last=LoBianco |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/07/pence-signs-bill-stripping-ritz-education-authority/70966236/ |title=Pence signs bill stripping Ritz of education authority |agency=Associated Press |date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125031806/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/07/pence-signs-bill-stripping-ritz-education-authority/70966236/ |url-status=live }} The bill also allowed the board to appoint a chairman other than the Superintendent of Public Instruction starting in 2017, and added the State Board of Education (controlled by Pence) as a "state educational authority" along with the Department of Education (controlled by Ritz) for purposes of accessing sensitive student data. Pence and Ritz also clashed over non-binding federal guidelines that advised Indiana public schools must treat transgender students in a way that corresponds to their gender identity, even if their education files indicate a different gender.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.ibj.com/articles/58599-bathroom-guidelines-for-transgender-students-leave-pence-ritz-at-odds |title=Bathroom guidelines for transgender students leave Pence, Ritz at odds |work=Indianapolis Business Journal |date=May 14, 2016 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116180840/https://www.ibj.com/articles/58599-bathroom-guidelines-for-transgender-students-leave-pence-ritz-at-odds |url-status=dead }}

During Pence's term in office, the Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly "repeatedly tried to roll back renewable energy standards and successfully ended Indiana's energy efficiency efforts".{{cite news |first=Zahra |last=Hirji |url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/15072016/donald-trump-mike-pence-vp-conservative-fossil-fuel-industry-koch-brothers |title=Trump's Choice of Pence Adds a Conservative Fossil Fuel Backer to GOP Ticket |newspaper=InsideClimate News |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607201946/https://insideclimatenews.org/news/15072016/donald-trump-mike-pence-vp-conservative-fossil-fuel-industry-koch-brothers |url-status=live }} Pence has been an outspoken supporter of the coal industry, declaring in his 2015 State of the State address that "Indiana is a pro-coal state," expressing support for an "all-of-the-above energy strategy", and stating: "we must continue to oppose the overreaching schemes of the EPA until we bring their war on coal to an end."{{Cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/gov/2015stateofstate.htm|title=Governor Pence: 2015 State of the State|website=www.in.gov|date=January 13, 2015|access-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201023427/http://www.in.gov/gov/2015stateofstate.htm|archive-date=December 1, 2016}} In 2015, Pence sent a letter to President Obama denouncing the EPA's Clean Power Plan (which would regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants) and stating that Indiana would refuse to comply with the plan.{{Cite news|first=Maureen|last=Groppe|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/24/pence-epa-emissions-rules-need-changes-indiana-agree/29215723/|title=Pence: EPA must change emissions rules or Indiana won't comply|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|access-date=May 18, 2016|date=June 24, 2015|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122123100/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/24/pence-epa-emissions-rules-need-changes-indiana-agree/29215723/|url-status=live}} Indiana joined other states in a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the plan. In 2016, Pence said that even if legal challenges failed, Indiana would continue to defy the rule and would not come up with its own plan to reduce emissions.{{cite news |first=Maureen |last=Groppe |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/02/20/pence-defy-coal-plant-rules/80674462/ |title=Pence to defy coal plant rules |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909104641/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/02/20/pence-defy-coal-plant-rules/80674462/ |url-status=live }}

In 2014, over the opposition of Indiana school organizations, Pence signed a bill which allows firearms to be kept in vehicles on school property.{{cite news |first=Stephanie |last=Wang |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2014/03/26/pence-signs-bill-allow-guns-school-parking-lots/6929307/ |title=Gov. Mike Pence signs bill to allow guns in school parking lots |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=March 26, 2014 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128230603/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2014/03/26/pence-signs-bill-allow-guns-school-parking-lots/6929307/ |url-status=live }} In 2015, following a shooting in Chattanooga, Pence recruited the National Rifle Association to train the Indiana National Guard on concealed carry. Some National Guard officials from other states questioned why a civilian organization would be involved in a military issue.{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Slodysko |url=http://www.pressherald.com/2015/08/21/indiana-enlists-nra-to-train-national-guard-on-concealed-guns/ |title=Indiana enlists NRA to train National Guard on concealed guns |agency=Associated Press |date=August 21, 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |newspaper=Portland Press Herald |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183159/http://www.pressherald.com/2015/08/21/indiana-enlists-nra-to-train-national-guard-on-concealed-guns/ |url-status=live }} In May 2015, Pence signed into law Senate Bill 98, which limited lawsuits against gun and ammunition manufacturers and sellers and retroactively terminated the City of Gary's still-pending 1999 lawsuit against gun manufacturers and retailers that allegedly made illegal sales of handguns.{{cite news |first=Jacob |last=Rund |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/08/bills-gov-pence-signed-law/26977175/ |title=What bills has Gov. Pence signed into law? |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=May 9, 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715011820/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/08/bills-gov-pence-signed-law/26977175/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Carden |url=http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/fate-of-gary-gun-lawsuit-in-pence-s-hands/article_ef497611-7a59-5ee5-bb93-8fdee58ab977.html |title=Fate of Gary gun lawsuit in Pence's hands |newspaper=The Times of Northwest Indiana |date=April 21, 2015 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183638/http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/fate-of-gary-gun-lawsuit-in-pence-s-hands/article_ef497611-7a59-5ee5-bb93-8fdee58ab977.html |url-status=live }} The bill was supported by Republicans such as state senator Jim Tomes, who hoped the measure would attract more gun-related businesses, but opposed by Gary mayor and former Indiana attorney general Karen Freeman-Wilson, who viewed the measure as "an unprecedented violation of the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches of state government". In 2016, Pence signed Senate Bill 109 into law, legalizing the captive hunting of farm-raised deer.{{cite news |first=Niki |last=Kelly |url=http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/Pence-signs-captive-hunting-bill-12178783 |title=Pence signs captive hunting bill |newspaper=Journal Gazette |date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183032/http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/Pence-signs-captive-hunting-bill-12178783 |url-status=dead }}

File:New VA Clinic Dedication at Camp Atterbury, Ind. 05.jpg

In 2009, parts of East Chicago were discovered to have toxic lead and arsenic contamination, and were designated a Superfund site. Governor Pence declined to declare the Superfund site a state emergency;{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/east-chicago-lead-mike-pence_us_58a4b76fe4b07602ad5128c9|title=Mike Pence Ignored A Lead Contamination Crisis In His Backyard|last=Erbentraut|first=Joseph|date=February 16, 2017|work=HuffPost|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223213542/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/east-chicago-lead-mike-pence_us_58a4b76fe4b07602ad5128c9|url-status=live}} his successor Governor Eric Holcomb issued Executive Order 17–13, declaring a disaster emergency in East Chicago.{{Cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm|title=Governor Holcomb: Executive Orders|website=in.gov|language=en-US|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310153652/https://www.in.gov/gov/newsroom/executive-orders/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://patch.com/illinois/chicago/east-chicago-lead-crisis-declared-emergency-indiana-governor|title=East Chicago Lead Crisis Declared Emergency by Indiana Governor|date=February 10, 2017|newspaper=Patch|location=Chicago|access-date=February 23, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223213903/http://patch.com/illinois/chicago/east-chicago-lead-crisis-declared-emergency-indiana-governor|url-status=live}} The site of several former lead smelting plants was first identified as a health concern by the EPA in 1997.{{cite news |url=https://indianaeconomicdigest.com/main.asp?SectionID=31&subsectionID=259&articleID=85143 |title=Old East Chicago lead smelter site went unaddressed for years |first=Sarah |last=Reese |date=September 4, 2016 |website=Indiana Economic Digest |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730170857/https://indianaeconomicdigest.com/main.asp?SectionID=31&subsectionID=259&articleID=85143 |url-status=dead }}

Beginning in December 2014, there was an HIV outbreak in Southern Indiana.{{cite news|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/two-times-mike-pence-brushed-off-science/|title=Two Times Mike Pence Brushed Off Science|last=Barry-Jester|first=Anna Maria|date=July 15, 2016|work=FiveThirtyEight|language=en-US|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=November 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109153400/http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/two-times-mike-pence-brushed-off-science/|url-status=live}} In 2011, Planned Parenthood (PP) operated five rural clinics in Indiana. They tested for HIV and offered prevention, intervention and counseling to improve public health outcomes. The PP clinic in Scott County performed no abortions.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-rutter-on-scott-county-st-0607-20150606-story.html|title=Little Indiana town paid for war on Planned Parenthood|first=David|last=Rutter|work=chicagotribune.com|date=June 6, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2016|archive-date=October 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004223644/http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-rutter-on-scott-county-st-0607-20150606-story.html|url-status=live}} The Republican-controlled legislature and Pence defunded Planned Parenthood.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/31/indiana-planned-parenthood_n_6977232.html|title=Indiana Shut Down Its Rural Planned Parenthood Clinics And Got An HIV Outbreak|first=Laura|last=Bassett|date=March 31, 2015|work=HuffPost|access-date=October 1, 2016|archive-date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007164031/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/31/indiana-planned-parenthood_n_6977232.html|url-status=live}} Scott County has been without an HIV testing center since 2013. Pence had long been a vocal opponent of needle exchange programs, which allow drug users to trade in used syringes for sterile ones in order to stop the spread of diseases, despite solid scientific evidence that such programs prevent the spread of AIDS, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV), and do not increase drug abuse. In March 2015, well after the outbreak began, Pence finally allowed at least five counties to open needle exchanges, but did not move to lift the state ban on funding for needle exchanges.

Critics say Pence's compromise had been ineffective because counties had no way to pay for needle exchanges themselves. Anesthesiologist Jerome Adams, then the Pence-appointed Indiana state health commissioner and later surgeon general of the United States during the Trump administration, defended Pence, arguing that publicly funded needle exchange programs are controversial in many conservative communities. During his time as Indiana State Health Commissioner, Adams—along with Governor Pence—delayed Indiana's efforts to deal with the largest HIV outbreak related to injection drug use in the history of the United States by stalling adoption of a needle exchange program. Adams said, "There are people who have real moral and ethical concerns about passing out needles to people with substance abuse problems. To be honest, I shared that sentiment."{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/03/02/how-mike-pence-made-indianas-hiv-outbreak-worse-118648 |title=How Mike Pence Made Indiana's HIV Outbreak Worse |work=Politico |first1=Gregg |last1=Gonsalves |first2=Forrest |last2=Crawford |date=March 2, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2020 |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312124136/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/03/02/how-mike-pence-made-indianas-hiv-outbreak-worse-118648 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/under-pences-leadership-response-to-heroin-epidemic-criticized-as-ineffective-226759 |title=How Mike Pence's slow walk on needle exchange helped propel Indiana's health crisis; The GOP vice presidential nominee's response to Indiana's opioid scourge offers a window into his approach to handling a crisis |first=Paul |last=Demko |newspaper=Politico |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519034707/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/under-pences-leadership-response-to-heroin-epidemic-criticized-as-ineffective-226759 |url-status=live }} When President Trump appointed Pence in 2020 to head the country's response to coronavirus, he touted his ostensible experience with quelling an epidemic of HIV in Indiana, in which Pence deliberately delayed his state government's response to the disease despite the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control that needle exchange was an efficacious approach to reining in the spread of diseases. Pence had told lawmakers he would veto any bill they might pass that provided for such exchanges.[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/08/us/politics/mike-pence-needle-exchanges-indiana.html Mike Pence's Response to H.I.V. Outbreak: Prayer, Then a Change of Heart] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223191022/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/08/us/politics/mike-pence-needle-exchanges-indiana.html |date=December 23, 2020 }}, New York Times, Megan Twohey, August 8, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/27/mike-pence-hiv-indiana/ |title=Mike Pence was criticized for his handling of Indiana's HIV outbreak. He will lead the U.S. coronavirus response |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 27, 2020 |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301100236/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/27/mike-pence-hiv-indiana/ |url-status=live }}

In 2015, Pence and the Obama administration agreed to expand Medicaid in Indiana, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act.{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/27/gov-pence-gets-federal-ok-medicaid-alternative/22396503/|title=Gov. Pence gets federal OK for Medicaid alternative|access-date=July 15, 2016|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|date=January 27, 2017|first1=Shari|last1=Rudavsky|first2=Maureen|last2=Groppe|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118233453/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/27/gov-pence-gets-federal-ok-medicaid-alternative/22396503/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/07/15/republicans-hate-obamacare-but-mike-pence-expanded-it-in-indiana/|title=Republicans hate Obamacare. But Mike Pence expanded it in Indiana.|access-date=July 15, 2016|date=July 15, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Max|last=Ehrenfreund|archive-date=July 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718233745/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/07/15/republicans-hate-obamacare-but-mike-pence-expanded-it-in-indiana/|url-status=live}} As part of the expansion, called the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0, Pence negotiated modifications to the program for Indiana that included co-payments by participants. The co-payments are linked to healthy behaviors on the part of the participants so that, for example, a participant who quit smoking would receive a lower co-payment. Participants can lose benefits for failing to make the payments.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/01/29/will-mike-pence-tip-the-gop-scales-on-medicaid-expansion/|title=Will Mike Pence tip the GOP scales on Medicaid expansion?|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 15, 2016|date=January 29, 2015|first=Nia-Malika|last=Henderson|archive-date=August 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822103142/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/01/29/will-mike-pence-tip-the-gop-scales-on-medicaid-expansion/|url-status=live}} The required contribution would be about 2% of income. Critics say those who already struggle to buy food and housing will have even more difficulty paying their 2%. One critic expressed concern that lower-income people may stay out of the program or avoid pursuing health care. A service provider said the program "wins the award for bureaucratic complexity and red tape".{{cite news |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/27/gov-pence-gets-federal-ok-medicaid-alternative/22396503/ |title=Gov. Pence gets federal OK for Medicaid alternative |first1=Shari |last1=Rudavsky |first2=Maureen |last2=Groppe |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=January 27, 2015 |access-date=November 25, 2017 |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118233453/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/27/gov-pence-gets-federal-ok-medicaid-alternative/22396503/ |url-status=live }} In early 2017, Indiana submitted its application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to renew Healthy Indiana, to show that the program was meeting its targets, as required for renewal. National Public Radio/Side Effects Public Media said the application used "misleading and inaccurate information".{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/02/24/516704082/indiana-s-claims-about-its-medicaid-program-dont-all-check-out |title=Indiana's Claims About Its Medicaid Experiment Don't All Check Out |publisher=NPR |date=February 24, 2017 |first=Jake |last=Harper |access-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110151605/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/02/24/516704082/indiana-s-claims-about-its-medicaid-program-dont-all-check-out |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Religious Freedom Restoration Act (Indiana)}}

File:Mike Pence by Gage Skidmore 7.jpg

On March 26, 2015, Pence signed Indiana Senate Bill 101, also known as the Indiana "religious objections" bill or Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), into law.{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Tom LoBianco and Tony |title=Gov. Pence signs 'religious freedom' revision to stop erosion of LGBT protections |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/02/gov-pence-signs-religious-freedom-fix-stop-erosion-lgbt-protections/70865092/ |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}{{cite news|title=Indiana Gov. Pence defends religious objections law: 'This bill is not about discrimination'|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-indiana-religious-freedom-bill-sb101-pence-20150326-story.html|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|agency=Associated Press|date=March 26, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529042253/http://www.chicagotribune.com/chi-indiana-religious-freedom-bill-sb101-pence-20150326-story.html|url-status=dead}} The move was praised by religious conservatives,{{cite news |first=Dwight |last=Adams |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/04/25/rfra-indiana-why-law-signed-mike-pence-so-controversial/546411002/ |title=RFRA: Why the 'religious freedom law' signed by Mike Pence was so controversial |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=May 3, 2018 |access-date=February 10, 2020 |archive-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112035725/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/04/25/rfra-indiana-why-law-signed-mike-pence-so-controversial/546411002/ |url-status=live }} but criticized by people and groups who felt the law was carefully worded in a way that would permit discrimination against LGBT persons.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-religion-indiana-idUSKBN0MO0RF20150329|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329032045/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/29/us-usa-religion-indiana-idUSKBN0MO0RF20150329|url-status=live|title=Thousands march in Indiana to protest law seen targeting gays|work=Reuters|date=March 29, 2015|archive-date=March 29, 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/01/religious-groups-protest-rfra_n_6986002.html?ir=Politics|title=These Religious Groups Want Nothing To Do With Indiana's New Law|work=The Huffington Post|date=April 4, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115183412/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/religious-groups-protest-rfra_n_6986002?ir=Politics|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/03/07/indiana-needs-religious-freedom-legislation/24477303/ |title=Law professor: Why Indiana needs 'religious freedom' legislation |date=March 7, 2015 |first=Daniel O. |last=Conkle |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=April 6, 2015 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029082434/https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/03/07/indiana-needs-religious-freedom-legislation/24477303/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last1=Epps|first1=Garrett|title=What Makes Indiana's Religious-Freedom Law Different?|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/what-makes-indianas-religious-freedom-law-different/388997/|access-date=April 1, 2015|work=The Atlantic|date=March 30, 2015|archive-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213233525/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/what-makes-indianas-religious-freedom-law-different/388997/|url-status=live}} Such organizations as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the gamer convention Gen Con, and the Disciples of Christ spoke out against the law. Apple CEO Tim Cook and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff condemned the law, with the latter's company saying it would halt its plans to expand in the state.{{cite news |date=March 26, 2015 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/25/politics/mike-pence-religious-freedom-bill-gay-rights/ |title=NCAA 'concerned' over Indiana law that allows biz to reject gays |work=CNN |access-date=March 26, 2015 |archive-date=March 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327055752/http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/25/politics/mike-pence-religious-freedom-bill-gay-rights/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5c0770a9256e4dca98c4c569f62f44db/indiana-officials-look-stem-religious-objections-fallout |title=Indiana officials look to stem religious objections fallout |first=Tom |last=Davies |date=March 27, 2015 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=March 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328151214/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5c0770a9256e4dca98c4c569f62f44db/indiana-officials-look-stem-religious-objections-fallout |url-status=dead }} Angie's List announced that they would cancel a $40{{spaces}}million expansion of their Indianapolis-based headquarters over concerns with the law. The expansion would have moved 1,000 jobs into the state.{{cite news|last=Evans|first=Tim|title=Angie's List canceling Eastside expansion over RFRA|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2015/03/28/angies-list-canceling-eastside-expansion-rfra/70590738/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|access-date=June 28, 2013|date=March 28, 2015|archive-date=March 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330062537/http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2015/03/28/angies-list-canceling-eastside-expansion-rfra/70590738/|url-status=live}} Thousands protested against the policy. Five Republican state representatives voted against the bill, and Greg Ballard, the Republican mayor of Indianapolis, criticized it as sending the "wrong signal" about the state.{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/25/ballard-religious-freedom-bill-sends-wrong-signal/70433380/|title=Ballard: 'Religious freedom' bill sends 'wrong signal'|date=March 26, 2015|work=Indy Star|first1=Ryan|last1=Sabalow|first2=Brian|last2=Eason|access-date=March 29, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022075036/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/25/ballard-religious-freedom-bill-sends-wrong-signal/70433380/|url-status=live}}

Pence defended the law, saying it was not about discrimination. In an appearance on the ABC News program This Week with George Stephanopoulos,{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/indiana-gov-mike-pence-controversial-religious-freedom-law/story?id=29985752|title=ABC News 'This Week with George Stephanopoulos'|date=March 29, 2015|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208063840/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/indiana-gov-mike-pence-controversial-religious-freedom-law/story?id=29985752|url-status=live}} he said, "We're not going to change the law", while refusing to answer whether examples of discrimination against LGBT people would be legal under the law.{{cite news|url=http://ktla.com/2015/03/29/indiana-not-going-to-change-anti-lgbt-law-gov-mike-pence-says/|title=Indiana 'Not Going to Change' Anti-LGBT Law, Gov. Mike Pence Says|work=KTLA 5|date=March 29, 2015|access-date=March 30, 2015|archive-date=August 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818083927/https://ktla.com/2015/03/29/indiana-not-going-to-change-anti-lgbt-law-gov-mike-pence-says/|url-status=dead}} Pence denied the law permitted discrimination and wrote in a March 31, 2015, Wall Street Journal op-ed, "If I saw a restaurant owner refuse to serve a gay couple, I wouldn't eat there anymore. As governor of Indiana, if I were presented a bill that legalized discrimination against any person or group, I would veto it."{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-ensuring-religious-freedom-in-indiana-1427757799|title=Ensuring Religious Freedom in Indiana|date=March 31, 2015|last1=Pence|first1=Mike|access-date=April 1, 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal|archive-date=April 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401025731/http://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-ensuring-religious-freedom-in-indiana-1427757799|url-status=live}} In the wake of the backlash against the RFRA, on April 2, 2015, Pence signed legislation revising the law to protect against potential discrimination.{{cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/religious_objection_laws.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405023018/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/religious_objection_laws.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 5, 2015|title=Indiana, Arkansas pass revised religious objection proposals|date=April 2, 2015|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Times-Picayune|location=New Orleans}} Pence received heavy criticism from liberals at the time of signing the religious freedom law, who labeled him as anti-gay. In 2018, emails released to the Associated Press showed that conservatives had similarly opposed his support of the subsequent changes to the law.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-03-28/emails-conservatives-slammed-pence-in-2015-for-changing-law|title=Conservatives Slammed Pence in 2015 For Changing Law|work=U.S. News & World Report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403193559/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-03-28/emails-conservatives-slammed-pence-in-2015-for-changing-law|archive-date=April 3, 2018|url-status=dead}}

In March 2016, as Indiana governor, Pence signed into law H.B. 1337, a bill that both banned certain abortion procedures and placed new restrictions on abortion providers. The bill banned abortion if the reason for the procedure given by the woman was the fetus's race or gender or a fetal abnormality. In addition, the bill required that all fetal remains from abortions or miscarriages at any stage of pregnancy be buried or cremated, which according to the Guttmacher Institute was not required in any other state.{{cite news |first=Emily |last=Crockett |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/3/26/11308890/indiana-abortion-law-miscarriage |title=Indiana crammed as many anti-abortion bills as it could into this horrifying new law |work=Vox |date=March 26, 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2017 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107124250/https://www.vox.com/2016/3/26/11308890/indiana-abortion-law-miscarriage |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Mitch |last1=Smith |first2=Erik |last2=Eckholm |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/us/federal-judge-blocks-indiana-abortion-law.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701010917/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/us/federal-judge-blocks-indiana-abortion-law.html |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Federal Judge Blocks Indiana Abortion Law |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 30, 2016 }}{{cite news |first=Emma |last=Green |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/state-mandated-mourning-for-aborted-fetuses/482688/ |title=State-Mandated Mourning for Aborted Fetuses |work=The Atlantic |date=May 14, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104420/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/state-mandated-mourning-for-aborted-fetuses/482688/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Crockett |first=Emily |date=March 26, 2016 |title=Indiana crammed as many anti-abortion bills as it could into this horrifying new law |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/3/26/11308890/indiana-abortion-law-miscarriage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107124250/https://www.vox.com/2016/3/26/11308890/indiana-abortion-law-miscarriage |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=December 9, 2023 |website=Vox}} The law was described as "exceptional for its breadth"; if implemented, it would have made Indiana "the first state to have a blanket ban on abortions based solely on race, sex or suspected disabilities, including evidence of Down syndrome". Days after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the bill from taking effect, with U.S. district judge Tanya Walton Pratt determining that the bill was likely to be unconstitutional and that the State of Indiana would be unlikely to prevail at trial.{{cite web |last=Crockett |first=Emily |date=July 14, 2016 |title=Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a law this year that mandated funerals for fetuses |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/7/14/12190380/mike-pence-trump-vice-president-abortion-funerals-fetuses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209083735/https://www.vox.com/2016/7/14/12190380/mike-pence-trump-vice-president-abortion-funerals-fetuses |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |access-date=December 9, 2023 |website=Vox}}{{cite web |last=Wang |first=Stephanie |date=June 30, 2016 |title=Judge halts Indiana's new abortion law |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/30/judge-grants-preliminary-injunction-indiana-abortion-law/86556662/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209083734/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/30/judge-grants-preliminary-injunction-indiana-abortion-law/86556662/ |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |access-date=December 9, 2023 |website=IndyStar}} The abortion bill was subsequently ruled unconstitutional in April 2018 by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/04/19/appeals-court-affirms-ruling-pence-era-law-banning-abortions-based-disability-diagnosis/534986002/|title=Indiana abortion law signed by former Gov. Mike Pence is ruled unconstitutional|work=IndyStar|first=Holly|last=Hays|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-date=May 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504032841/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/04/19/appeals-court-affirms-ruling-pence-era-law-banning-abortions-based-disability-diagnosis/534986002/|url-status=live}}

File:Mike Pence - 2015 500 Festival Parade - Stierch.jpg in Indianapolis, 2015]]

In June 2013, Pence was criticized for deleting comments of others posted on his official government Facebook page; he apologized.{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Jon|title=Governor apologizes for deleted Facebook comments|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/28/ind-governor-apologizes-for-deleted-facebook-comments/2474451/|newspaper=USA Today|agency=The Indianapolis Star|access-date=June 28, 2013|date=June 28, 2013|archive-date=July 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702064604/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/06/28/ind-governor-apologizes-for-deleted-facebook-comments/2474451/|url-status=live}}

On January 26, 2015, it was widely reported that Pence had planned to launch a state-run, taxpayer-funded news service for Indiana.{{cite news|last1=LoBianco|first1=Tom|title=Indiana state-run news outlet will compete with media|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/26/state-run-news-outlet-will-compete-with-media/22379417/|access-date=April 14, 2015|work=USA Today|date=January 26, 2015|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115183409/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/26/state-run-news-outlet-will-compete-with-media/22379417/|url-status=live}} The service, called "JustIN", was to be overseen by a former reporter for The Indianapolis Star, and would feature breaking news, stories written by press secretaries, and light features. At the time, it was reported that the two employees who would run the news service would be paid a combined $100,000 yearly salary. The target audience was small newspapers which had limited staff, but the site would also serve to communicate directly with the public. The publisher of the Commercial Review of Portland, Indiana, said, "I think it's a ludicrous idea{{spaces}}... the notion of elected officials presenting material that will inevitably have a pro-administration point of view is antithetical to the idea of an independent press." There was speculation that the news service would publish pro-administration stories that would make Pence look good in the event of a presidential run.{{cite news|last1=Mataconis|first1=Doug|title=A state-run news agency for 'small government' Indiana: Huh?|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Politics-Voices/2015/0128/A-state-run-news-agency-for-small-government-Indiana-Huh|access-date=April 14, 2015|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=January 28, 2015|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115183409/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Politics-Voices/2015/0128/A-state-run-news-agency-for-small-government-Indiana-Huh|url-status=live}}

According to the Associated Press, the idea "of stories prewritten for the media set off a wave of criticism from journalists around the country, who likened the Indiana endeavor to state-run media in Russia and China. Headlines like 'Pravda in the Plains' accompanied calls for Pence to scrap the idea."{{cite news|title=Indiana Gov. Mike Pence's state-run news service stirs controversy|url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/indiana_gov_mike_pences_state-run_news_service_stirs_controversy.html|agency=Associated Press|date=January 28, 2015|access-date=April 14, 2015|archive-date=February 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213020059/https://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/indiana_gov_mike_pences_state-run_news_service_stirs_controversy.html|url-status=live}} David A. Graham of The Atlantic regarded the announcement of JustIN as evidence of a disturbing changing trend in how the public gets news.{{cite news|last1=Graham|first1=David A.|title=Pravda on the Plains: Indiana's New Propaganda Machine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/01/Indiana-Governor-Mike-Pence-to-Start-State-Sponsored-News-Service-Just-IN/384867/|access-date=April 14, 2015|work=The Atlantic|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402021722/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/01/Indiana-Governor-Mike-Pence-to-Start-State-Sponsored-News-Service-Just-IN/384867/|url-status=live}} After a week or so of controversy about the idea, Pence scrapped the idea saying, "However well-intentioned, after thorough review of the preliminary planning and careful consideration of the concerns expressed, I am writing you to inform you that I have made a decision to terminate development of the JustIN website immediately."{{cite news|last1=LoBianco|first1=Tom|title=Just in: Indiana governor kills state-run news outlet|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/01/29/indiana-governor-ends-plans-state-run-news-outlet/22529471/|access-date=April 14, 2015|work=USA Today|archive-date=April 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430072441/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/01/29/indiana-governor-ends-plans-state-run-news-outlet/22529471/|url-status=live}}

As governor, Pence attempted unsuccessfully to prevent Syrian refugees from being resettled in Indiana.{{cite news|title=Exodus, continued: Indiana's governor is losing his fight to keep Syrian refugees away: Most other governors seem to have quietly dropped the matter|url=https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21694832-most-other-governors-seem-have-quietly-dropped-matter-indianas-governor-losing|access-date=March 15, 2016|newspaper=The Economist|date=March 14, 2016|archive-date=March 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315003942/http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21694832-most-other-governors-seem-have-quietly-dropped-matter-indianas-governor-losing|url-status=live}} In February 2016, a federal judge ruled that Pence's order to cut off federal funds for a local non-profit refugee resettlement agency was unconstitutional; Pence unsuccessfully appealed. In December 2015, Pence said that "calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/jul/14/ticket-trump-pick-pence-ginsburg-politics|title=That's the ticket: Trump said to pick Pence|date=July 14, 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=July 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715143452/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/jul/14/ticket-trump-pick-pence-ginsburg-politics|url-status=live}}

Pence "repeatedly stonewalled public records requests as governor, often withholding documents or delaying their release if not denying them outright".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/17/mike-pence-emails-indiana-governor |title=Indiana to pay out $100,000 to deal with requests for Mike Pence emails |agency=Associated Press |work=The Guardian |date=June 17, 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111200958/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/17/mike-pence-emails-indiana-governor |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Slodysko |url=https://apnews.com/bcf78da516f6441fa5779ce93a71de67/indiana-court-public-records-requirements-applied-pence |title=Indiana court: Public records requirements applied to Pence |work=Associated Press |date=January 10, 2017 |quote=Pence, whose gubernatorial administration ended Monday, has also resisted the public release of emails and other documents that could shed light on his tenure as governor. In some cases, his office has withheld documents, delayed responses or denied public records requests filed by The Associated Press and other news organizations. |access-date=June 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024131055/https://apnews.com/bcf78da516f6441fa5779ce93a71de67/indiana-court-public-records-requirements-applied-pence |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Slodysko |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-pence-emails-records-indiana-20170303-story.html |title=Pence fought against releasing records, including emails, as Indiana governor |agency=Associated Press |date=March 3, 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420133428/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-pence-emails-records-indiana-20170303-story.html |url-status=live }} As governor, Pence routinely used a personal AOL email account to conduct official business, according to public records. In 2016, hackers compromised the account and used it to send fraudulent emails in an attempt to obtain money from Pence's contacts.{{cite news |publisher=Bloomberg News |first=Brian |last=Slodysko |date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=October 10, 2017 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-10/indiana-vague-about-reasons-for-withholding-pence-s-emails |title=Indiana Officials Vague About Reasons for Withholding Pence Emails |archive-date=October 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010200647/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-10/indiana-vague-about-reasons-for-withholding-pence-s-emails |url-status=live }} While Pence's use of a private email account for state business is not prohibited by Indiana law, some of the emails discussed sensitive matters and homeland security issues.{{Cite news |first=Tony |last=Cook |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/02/pence-used-personal-email-state-business----and-hacked/98604904 |title=Pence used personal email for state business—and was hacked |date=March 2, 2017 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215013421/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/02/pence-used-personal-email-state-business----and-hacked/98604904/ |url-status=live }} In March 2017, after Pence had become vice president, the State of Indiana released 29 emails to media outlets that had made public records requests, but withheld an undisclosed number of other emails, saying they were deliberative or advisory and thus exempt from public disclosure. Cybersecurity experts and government transparency advocates were surprised by Pence's use of a personal email account to conduct public business, given Pence's past attacks on Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while U.S. secretary of state. In 2017, Indiana hired a private law firm for $100,000 to handle a backlog of public-records requests for Pence's personal AOL account email correspondence.

{{Main|2016 Indiana gubernatorial election}}

Pence ran for a second term as governor and was unopposed in the Republican primary on May 3, 2016. He was to face Democrat John R. Gregg in a rematch of the 2012 race. However, Pence filed paperwork ending his campaign on July 15, 2016, as Trump announced his selection of Pence as his vice presidential running mate.{{cite web|url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/32454202/mike-pence-officially-withdraws-from-indiana-governors-race|title=Mike Pence officially withdraws from Indiana governor's race|agency=Associated Press|date=July 15, 2016|access-date=March 5, 2022|archive-date=November 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110075857/http://www.wdrb.com/story/32454202/mike-pence-officially-withdraws-from-indiana-governors-race|url-status=dead}} Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb was nominated in Pence's place, and selected Suzanne Crouch as his running mate.{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/26/live-updates-indiana-republicans-meet-today-pick-pences-replacement/87540124/|title=Indiana GOP panel nominates Eric Holcomb for governor|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|last1=Eason|first1=Brian|last2=Tony|first2=Cook|last3=Briggs|first3=James|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=July 26, 2016|archive-date=September 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927201145/http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/26/live-updates-indiana-republicans-meet-today-pick-pences-replacement/87540124/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://fox59.com/2016/08/01/holcomb-to-introduce-crouch-as-his-running-mate-in-governors-race/|title=Holcomb introduces Crouch as his running mate in governor's race|publisher=Fox 59|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2016|archive-date=August 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802185857/http://fox59.com/2016/08/01/holcomb-to-introduce-crouch-as-his-running-mate-in-governors-race/|url-status=live}} Holcomb went on to defeat Gregg in the general election.{{cite web |url=https://indianaenr.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/archive/2016General/index.html |title=Indiana Secretary of State Election Results |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810211351/https://indianaenr.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/archive/2016General/index.html |url-status=dead }}

{{See also|Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign|2016 Republican Party vice presidential candidate selection}}

File:Mike Pence (29270325142).jpg, August 2016.]]

Shortly before the 2016 Indiana Republican presidential primary, Pence endorsed Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who would lose the primary to Trump. Pence then endorsed Trump after the latter became the party's presumptive nominee for president of the United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/mike-pence-endorses-trump-222891|title=Indiana Gov. Mike Pence endorses Donald Trump|first=Nick|last=Gass|date=May 6, 2016|work=Politico|access-date=August 6, 2023|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123100020/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/mike-pence-endorses-trump-222891|url-status=live}}

Donald Trump considered naming Pence as his vice presidential running mate along with other finalists including New Jersey governor Chris Christie and former House speaker Newt Gingrich.{{cite news | last=Nussbalm |first=Matthew |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trump-mike-pence-vice-president-225387 |title=Trump flirts with unpopular Pence| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108104815/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trump-mike-pence-vice-president-225387 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |work= Politico| url-status=live |date= July 12, 2016}} Pence had stronger connections at the time to the politically influential big donors, the Kochs, than Trump did.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/10/18/558525943/understanding-mike-pence-and-his-relationship-to-trump-his-public-role-is-fawnin |title=Understanding Mike Pence And His Relationship To Trump: 'His Public Role Is Fawning' |first1=Terry |last1=Gross |author-link1=Terry Gross |first2=Jane |last2=Mayer |author-link2=Jane Mayer |date=October 18, 2017 |website=NPR.org |publisher=Fresh Air |access-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022032858/http://www.npr.org/2017/10/18/558525943/understanding-mike-pence-and-his-relationship-to-trump-his-public-role-is-fawnin |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-koch-trump-201708-story.html |title=They snubbed Trump. But the Koch network has still exerted a surprising influence over the White House |first=Lisa |last=Mascaro |date=August 15, 2017 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026043821/http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-koch-trump-201708-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-vice-president-pence-to-headline-koch-1506705515-htmlstory.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929220417/http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-vice-president-pence-to-headline-koch-1506705515-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |archive-date=September 29, 2017 |title=Pence to headline Koch network's strategy session for the midterm elections |first=Lisa |last=Mascaro |date=September 29, 2017 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 26, 2017 |quote=The network, founded by billionaire industrialist Koch brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch, has close ties to Pence, which has helped enable it to exert influence in the White House despite not endorsing President Trump in 2016. }}{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/355600-bannon-kochs-would-own-pence-if-he-became-president/ |title=Bannon: Kochs 'would own' Pence if he became president |first=Mallory |last=Shelbourne |date=October 16, 2017 |website=The Hill |access-date=October 26, 2017}} It was widely reported on July 14 that Pence planned to end his (Indiana gubernatorial) re-election campaign and accept the Republican vice presidential nomination instead.{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/14/report-pence-trumps-vp-pick/87075866/|title=Pence is Trump's VP pick|first1=James|last1=Briggs|first2=Tony|last2=Cook|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|date=July 14, 2016|access-date=July 14, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130142907/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/14/report-pence-trumps-vp-pick/87075866/|url-status=live}} The following day, Trump officially announced on Twitter that Pence would be his running mate.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/jul/15/donald-trump-vice-president-clinton-convention-election|title=Donald Trump announces Mike Pence as VP pick|last=Jamieson|first=Amber|work=The Guardian|date=July 15, 2016|access-date=July 15, 2016|archive-date=July 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715135858/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/jul/15/donald-trump-vice-president-clinton-convention-election|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=O'Donnell|first1=Kelly|title=Its Official: Trump Announces Mike Pence as VP Pick|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/its-official-trump-announces-mike-pence-vp-pick-n610111|work=NBC News|date=July 15, 2016|access-date=July 15, 2016|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124152525/https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-conventions/its-official-trump-announces-mike-pence-vp-pick-n610111|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Bradner|first1=Eric|last2=Bash|first2=Dana|last3=Lee|first3=MJ|title=Donald Trump selects Mike Pence as VP|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/politics/donald-trump-vice-presidential-choice/|publisher=CNN|date=July 16, 2016|access-date=July 15, 2016|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019193348/https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/politics/donald-trump-vice-presidential-choice/|url-status=live}}

Immediately after the announcement, Pence said he was "very supportive of Donald Trump's call to temporarily suspend immigration from countries where terrorist influence and impact represents a threat to the United States".{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/15/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump-muslim-ban/index.html|title=Pence 'very supportive' of latest version of Trump Muslim ban|first1=Theodore|last1=Schleifer|first2=Olivia|last2=Beavers|publisher=CNN|date=July 16, 2016|access-date=July 16, 2016|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209071615/https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/15/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump-muslim-ban/index.html|url-status=live}} Pence said he was "absolutely" in sync with Trump's Mexican wall proposal, saying Mexico was "absolutely" going to pay for it.{{Cite web|first1=Alana|last1=Abramson|first2=Ines|last2=de la Cuetara|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence-walks-back-prior-positions-stand-trump/story?id=40633445|title=Pence Walks Back Positions on Muslims, TPP to Stand With Trump|date=July 16, 2016|work=ABC News|access-date=June 28, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110190029/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence-walks-back-prior-positions-stand-trump/story?id=40633445|url-status=live}}

According to a FiveThirtyEight rating of candidates' ideology, Pence was the most conservative vice-presidential candidate in the last 40 years.{{Cite web |first=Harry |last=Enten |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/mike-pence-would-be-a-really-conservative-and-mostly-unknown-vp-pick/ |title=Mike Pence Is A Really Conservative And Mostly Unknown VP Pick |work=FiveThirtyEight |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126210655/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/mike-pence-would-be-a-really-conservative-and-mostly-unknown-vp-pick/ |url-status=live }}

Pence called Dick Cheney his role model for vice president.{{cite news |first=Ines |last=de la Cuertara |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence-role-model-vice-president-dick-cheney/story?id=42170897 |title=Mike Pence Says His Role Model for Vice President Is Dick Cheney |work=ABC News |date=September 18, 2016 |access-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-date=December 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214235617/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence-role-model-vice-president-dick-cheney/story?id=42170897 |url-status=live }}

During Pence's preparations for the vice presidential debate in October 2016, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker played the role of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine.{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Allen |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/tim-kaine-scott-walker-debate-prep-228317 |title=Exclusive: Here's who's playing Tim Kaine in GOP debate prep |newspaper=Politico |date=September 17, 2016 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108105828/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/tim-kaine-scott-walker-debate-prep-228317 |url-status=live }} In Kaine's own debate prep, lawyer Robert Barnett was selected to play Pence.{{cite news |first=Annie |last=Karni |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/robert-barnett-mike-pence-tim-kaine-presidential-debates-228316 |title=Exclusive: Robert Barnett to play Mike Pence in Tim Kaine debate prep |newspaper=Politico |date=September 17, 2016 |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131427/https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/robert-barnett-mike-pence-tim-kaine-presidential-debates-228316 |url-status=live }} Following the debate, experts concluded Pence won against Kaine, with a CNN poll showing 48 percent of viewers thought Pence won and 42 percent believing Kaine won.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/politics/mike-pence-tim-kaine-vp-debate-poll/index.html|title=Pence edges Kaine in VP debate instant poll|first=Jennifer|last=Agiesta|website=CNN|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2020|archive-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704070056/https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/politics/mike-pence-tim-kaine-vp-debate-poll/index.html|url-status=live}} Pence's "cooler" temperament was seen as an advantage compared to Kaine, who was perceived as more hotheaded.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37558787|title=Pence v Kaine: Who won the vice-presidential debate?|first=Anthony|last=Zurcher|website=BBC News|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2020|archive-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717175921/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37558787|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/opinions/pence-kaine-debate-reaction-roundup/index.html|title=Who won the vice presidential debate?|website=CNN|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2020|archive-date=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704080723/https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/opinions/pence-kaine-debate-reaction-roundup/index.html|url-status=live}}

On October 7, 2016, lewd comments made by Donald Trump in 2005 surfaced and gained heavy media attention.{{cite news |last=Cassidy |first=John |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/a-sexual-predator-in-the-republican-partys-midst |title=A Sexual Predator in the Republican Party's Midst |newspaper=The New Yorker |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203030648/https://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/a-sexual-predator-in-the-republican-partys-midst |url-status=live }} That day, Pence said to reporters, "I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them", but he made clear that he was standing by Trump.{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=Dave |url=http://people.com/politics/mike-pence-donald-trumps-2005-lewd-comments/ |title=Mike Pence 'Offended' and Praying for Donald Trump's Family Amid Crisis Over His 2005 Lewd Comments |newspaper=People |department=Politics |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108125052/https://people.com/politics/mike-pence-donald-trumps-2005-lewd-comments/ |url-status=live }} In response to the reports, Paul Ryan "uninvited" Trump from what would have been a joint campaign event. The Trump campaign attempted to substitute Pence for Trump at the event,{{cite news |last=Fahrenthold |first=David A. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-recorded-having-extremely-lewd-conversation-about-women-in-2005/2016/10/07/3b9ce776-8cb4-11e6-bf8a-3d26847eeed4_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_trumptape-404pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory |title=Trump recorded having extremely lewd conversation about women in 2005 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104025018/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-recorded-having-extremely-lewd-conversation-about-women-in-2005/2016/10/07/3b9ce776-8cb4-11e6-bf8a-3d26847eeed4_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_trumptape-404pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory |url-status=live }} but according to The New York Times, Pence called Trump on October{{spaces}}8 and told him that he (Pence) would not appear at the event, and that Trump would need to handle the next 48 hours on his own, as Pence did not think he would be an effective surrogate for Trump.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008175442/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign.html |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Lewd Donald Trump Tape Is a Breaking Point for Many in the G.O.P.|date=October 9, 2016|work=The New York Times}}

According to Bob Woodward's 2018 book Fear: Trump in the White House, in the midst of the scandal, then-Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus told Trump he should drop out of the race for the good of the party, and that Pence had agreed to replace Trump on the top of the ticket as the Republican presidential nominee, with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice agreeing to be Pence's running mate.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/top-takeaways-bob-woodwards-book-donald-trump/story?id=57611974 |title=Here are the top takeaways from Bob Woodward's new book on Donald Trump |work=ABC News |date=September 5, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-date=October 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014091311/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/top-takeaways-bob-woodwards-book-donald-trump/story?id=57611974 |url-status=live }}

On October 10, 2016, Pence appeared on CNN and said, in response to rumors that he was leaving the ticket, that it was "absolutely false to suggest that at any point in time we considered dropping off this ticket" and that it is the "greatest honor of my life" to be nominated as Trump's running mate.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/10/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump/index.html|title=Pence: I never considered leaving Trump ticket|first=Tom|last=LoBianco|date=October 10, 2016|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107022122/https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/10/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump/index.html|url-status=live}}

On November 8, 2016, Pence was elected vice president of the United States as Trump's running mate.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/election-day-an-acrimonious-race-reaches-its-end-point/2016/11/08/32b96c72-a557-11e6-ba59-a7d93165c6d4_story.html|title=Donald Trump wins the presidency in stunning upset over Clinton|first1=Karen|last1=Tumulty|first2=Philip|last2=Rucker|first3=Anne|last3=Gearan|date=November 9, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 6, 2023|archive-date=February 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228131956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/election-day-an-acrimonious-race-reaches-its-end-point/2016/11/08/32b96c72-a557-11e6-ba59-a7d93165c6d4_story.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|Vice presidency of Mike Pence}}

File:Mike Pence swearing in ceremony.jpg on January 20, 2017]]

{{conservatism US|politicians}}

Soon after the election, he was appointed chairman of President-elect Trump's transition team.{{cite news | last1=Shear | first1=Michael D. | last2=Haberman | first2=Maggie | last3=Schmidt | first3=Michael S. | title=Vice President-Elect Pence to Take Over Trump Transition Effort | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/trump-cabinet.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111171252/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/trump-cabinet.html |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | date=November 11, 2016 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date=December 4, 2016}} During the transition phase of the Trump administration, Pence was reported as holding a large degree of influence in the administration due to his roles as a mediator between Trump and congressional Republicans, for reassuring conservatives about Trump's conservative credentials, and his influence in determining Donald Trump's cabinet.{{cite web | last1=Johnson | first1=Eliana | last2=Restuccia | first2=Andrew | title=Pence's Power Play | url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/mike-pence-power-play-trump-transition-232151 | date=December 4, 2016 | work=Politico | access-date=December 4, 2016 | archive-date=December 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204134927/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/mike-pence-power-play-trump-transition-232151 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last1=LoBianco | first1=Tom | last2=Bradner | first2=Eric | title=Mike Pence's Key Role in Building Team Trump | url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/30/politics/mike-pence-role-donald-trump-administration/index.html | date=December 1, 2016 | publisher=CNN | access-date=December 4, 2016 | archive-date=December 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204012146/http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/30/politics/mike-pence-role-donald-trump-administration/index.html | url-status=live }}

On January 20, 2017, at noon, Pence became the 48th vice president of the United States, sworn into the office by justice Clarence Thomas.{{cite news|last1=Groppe|first1=Maureen|title=Mike Pence's swearing-in is full of symbolism|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/19/mike-pence-vice-president-swearing-in-symbolism/96782426/|access-date=January 21, 2017|work=USA Today|date=January 19, 2017|archive-date=January 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122132021/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/19/mike-pence-vice-president-swearing-in-symbolism/96782426/|url-status=live}}

{{See also|First presidency of Donald Trump}}

File:-UNGA (48784378391).jpg

On the first day in office (January 20), Pence performed various ceremonial duties, including swearing in Jim Mattis as United States secretary of defense and John Kelly as secretary of homeland security.{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/inauguration-2017/senate-confirms-gen-james-mattis-defense-secretary-n710061 |title=Trump's Defense and Homeland Security Picks Sworn-in |work=NBC News |first=Leigh Ann |last=Caldwell |date=January 20, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613130713/https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/inauguration-2017/senate-confirms-gen-james-mattis-defense-secretary-n710061 |url-status=live }} He also administered the oath of office to the White House senior staff on January 22, 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/01/22/trump-pence-preside-over-east-room-ceremony-to-swear-in-senior-staff/ |title=Trump, Pence preside over East Room ceremony to swear in senior staff |newspaper=The Washington Post |first1=David |last1=Nakamura |first2=John |last2=Wagner |date=January 22, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-date=January 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122211959/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/01/22/trump-pence-preside-over-east-room-ceremony-to-swear-in-senior-staff/ |url-status=live }}

Pence also sat in on calls made by President Trump to foreign heads of government and state such as Russian president Vladimir Putin{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-trump-calls-russia-vladimir-putin-article-1.2958138 |title=President Trump calls Russia's Vladimir Putin for first time since taking office |work=New York Daily News |first=Meg |last=Wagner |date=January 28, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208033822/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/president-trump-calls-russia-vladimir-putin-article-1.2958138 |url-status=live }} and Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/politics/australia-mexico-transcripts/|title='This deal will make me look terrible': Full transcripts of Trump's calls with Mexico and Australia|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110181337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/politics/australia-mexico-transcripts/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-gday-mate-on-call-with-australian-pm-trump-badgers-and-brags/2017/02/01/88a3bfb0-e8bf-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html |title='This was the worst call by far': Trump badgered, bragged and abruptly ended phone call with Australian leader |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=June 10, 2018 |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413190101/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-gday-mate-on-call-with-australian-pm-trump-badgers-and-brags/2017/02/01/88a3bfb0-e8bf-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html |url-status=live }}

In January, Pence appointed Josh Pitcock as his chief of staff, whom he had known from his gubernatorial and congressional days.{{cite web |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/behind-closed-doors/2017/01/25/pence-tapping-former-aides-and-some-lobbyists-vp-office-staff/97058968/ |title=Pence tapping former aides, and some lobbyists, for VP office staff |work=The Indianapolis Star |first=Maureen |last=Groppe |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117074454/https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/behind-closed-doors/2017/01/25/pence-tapping-former-aides-and-some-lobbyists-vp-office-staff/97058968/ |url-status=live }} The following month, Jarrod Agen was tapped as deputy assistant to the president and director of communications to the vice president; his previous job being chief of staff for governor of Michigan Rick Snyder through the time of the Flint water crisis.{{cite web |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/01/vice-president-mike-pence-announces-jarrod-agen-director-communications|title=Vice President Mike Pence Announces Jarrod Agen as Director of Communications |date=February 1, 2017 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=February 7, 2017}} In July, Pitcock stepped down as chief of staff, and was succeeded in the position by Nick Ayers, another longtime Pence advisor.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/29/mike-pence-staff-shakeup-nick-ayers-vice-presidents-chief-staff/439727001/|title=Mike Pence's first major staff shakeup: Josh Pitcock out, Nick Ayers in as chief of staff|work=USA Today|first=Maureen|last=Groppe|date=June 29, 2017|access-date=May 25, 2018|archive-date=June 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613100650/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/29/mike-pence-staff-shakeup-nick-ayers-vice-presidents-chief-staff/439727001/|url-status=live}}

On February 5, 2017, Pence warned Iran "not to test the resolve" of the new Trump administration following their ballistic missile tests.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-pence-warning-not-to-test-resolve/28280320.html|title=White House Warns Iran To 'Think Twice' Before Testing U.S. Resolve|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=June 14, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614081002/https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-pence-warning-not-to-test-resolve/28280320.html|url-status=live}}

On February 7, 2017, Pence, in his dual constitutional role as president of the United States Senate made the first ever tie-breaking vote to confirm a Cabinet member.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/devos-confirmed-as-education-secretary-pence-casts-historic-tie-breaking-vote |title=DeVos confirmed as education secretary, Pence casts historic tie-breaking vote |website=Fox News |agency=Associated Press |date=February 7, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208000531/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/02/07/devos-confirmed-as-education-secretary-pence-casts-historic-tie-breaking-vote.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=February 7, 2012 |first=Aaron |last=Bycoffe |work=FiveThirtyEight |title=Pence Has Already Done Something Biden Never Did: Break A Senate Tie |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/pence-has-already-done-something-biden-never-did-break-a-senate-tie/ |quote=Vice presidents have broken ties on presidential nominees before, but Tuesday was the first time it's happened for a Cabinet nominee ... according to the Senate Historical Office |access-date=February 16, 2017 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103082937/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/pence-has-already-done-something-biden-never-did-break-a-senate-tie/ |url-status=live }} He cast the deciding vote to break a fifty-fifty tie to confirm Betsy DeVos as the secretary of education.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/betsy-devos-democrats-confirmation-234691 |title=Senate confirms DeVos as secretary of education |work=Politico |first1=Michael |last1=Stratford |first2=Kimberly |last2=Hefling |first3=Caitlin |last3=Emma |first4=Benjamin |last4=Wermund |date=February 7, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207231942/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/betsy-devos-democrats-confirmation-234691 |url-status=live }} Pence cast his second tie-breaking vote on March 30, voting to advance a bill to defund Planned Parenthood.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/mike-pence-johnny-isakson-planned-parenthood-vote-senate-236702 |title=Pence breaks tie in Senate vote on Planned Parenthood funding |work=Politico |first1=Seung Min |last1=Kim |first2=Brianna |last2=Ehley |date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330204911/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/mike-pence-johnny-isakson-planned-parenthood-vote-senate-236702 |url-status=live }} In 2018, Pence broke a tie to confirm Jonathan A. Kobes for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. This was the first-ever tie-breaking vote to confirm a judicial nominee in U.S. history. In total, Pence cast 13 tie-breaking votes, the seventh-most in history and more than the previous four predecessors combined. (By comparison, his successor, Kamala Harris, cast a total of 33 tie-breaking votes, the most by any senate president, and more than the previous six predecessors combined.)

In April, Pence made a tour of the Asia-Pacific region. In South Korea, he met acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn and condemned North Korea's latest missile launch.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence-arrives-south-korea-attends-wreath-laying/story?id=46825962 |title=Mike Pence arrives in South Korea, attends wreath-laying ceremony and Easter Sunday services |work=ABC News |first=David |last=Caplan |date=April 16, 2017 |access-date=April 17, 2017 |archive-date=April 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417062705/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence-arrives-south-korea-attends-wreath-laying/story?id=46825962 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pence-lands-south-korea-failed-launch-north-46825425 |title=Pence warns NKorea 'era of strategic patience is over' |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=April 16, 2017 |access-date=April 17, 2017 |first=Ken |last=Thomas |archive-date=April 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416211448/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pence-lands-south-korea-failed-launch-north-46825425 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-pence-north-korea-military-20170416-story.html |title=Trump's message to North Korea: 'Gotta behave' |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=April 17, 2017 |access-date=April 18, 2017 |first1=Ken |last1=Thomas |first2=Jill |last2=Colvin |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418005752/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-pence-north-korea-military-20170416-story.html |url-status=live }} In Japan, Pence met Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and pledged to work with Japan, South Korea, and China "to achieve a peaceable resolution and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," adding "The era of strategic patience is over and while all options are on the table."{{cite news|last1=Rampton|first1=Roberta|title=Pence reassures Japan of U.S. resolve on North Korea, to work with China|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-idUSKBN17K07A|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=Reuters|date=April 19, 2017|archive-date=April 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421221104/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-idUSKBN17K07A|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Cahill|first1=Petra|title=VP Mike Pence Warns North Korea: 'We Will Defeat Any Attack'|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/vp-mike-pence-warns-north-korea-we-will-defeat-any-n748161|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=NBC News|date=April 19, 2017|language=en|archive-date=April 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421201554/http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/vp-mike-pence-warns-north-korea-we-will-defeat-any-n748161|url-status=live}} Pence subsequently traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he met with president Joko Widodo, toured the largest mosque in the region (the Istiqlal Mosque), and praised moderate Islam.{{cite news|last1=Rampton|first1=Roberta|title=Pence tours Southeast Asia's biggest mosque, talks trade in Indonesia|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pence-asia-indonesia-idUSKBN17M0D1|access-date=April 22, 2017|work=Reuters|date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=April 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422133536/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pence-asia-indonesia-idUSKBN17M0D1|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Liptak|first1=Kevin|title=Pence praises moderate Islam in Indonesia|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/20/politics/mike-pence-indonesia-islam/|access-date=April 22, 2017|publisher=CNN|date=April 20, 2017|archive-date=April 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423041549/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/20/politics/mike-pence-indonesia-islam/|url-status=live}} Pence ended his trip with stops in Sydney, Australia (where, after meeting with Malcolm Turnbull, he said the U.S. "intends to honor" a U.S.–Australia refugee resettlement agreement),{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/22/politics/us-australia-pence-refugee-deal/ |title=Pence says US will honor refugee deal with Australia |date=April 22, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2017 |first=Laura |last=Smith-Spark |work=CNN |department=Politics |archive-date=April 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424173831/http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/22/politics/us-australia-pence-refugee-deal/ |url-status=live }} Oahu, Hawaii, and American Samoa.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-cuts-short-his-stop-in-hawaii-to-deal-with-domestic-issues/ |title=Mike Pence cuts short his stop in Hawaii to deal with domestic issues |date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2017 |work=CBS News |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425115215/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-cuts-short-his-stop-in-hawaii-to-deal-with-domestic-issues/ |url-status=live }}

On May 21, 2017, Pence delivered the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame. Traditionally, the president delivers the address at Notre Dame in his inaugural year, but in 2017 Pence was invited instead when Trump decided to speak at Liberty University.{{cite web|last1=Stack|first1=Liam|title=Notre Dame Students Walk Out of Mike Pence Commencement Address|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/21/us/mike-pence-notre-dame-commencement-address.html?mcubz=3|website=The New York Times|date=May 21, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024092226/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/21/us/mike-pence-notre-dame-commencement-address.html?mcubz=3|url-status=live}}{{cite web|author1=Rosa Flores|author2=Eric Levenson|author3=Susannah Cullinane|title=Some Notre Dame graduates walk out at Pence speech|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/mike-pence-notre-dame-speech/index.html|website=CNN|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117191857/https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/22/politics/mike-pence-notre-dame-speech/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/09/15/pence-spokesman-leave-post/670980001 |title=Pence spokesman to leave post |first1=Kaitlin |last1=Lange |first2=Tony |last2=Cook |date=September 15, 2017 |website=USA Today |access-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004141343/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2017/09/15/pence-spokesman-leave-post/670980001/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/05/13/trump-at-liberty-university-commencement-in-america-we-dont-worship-government-we-worship-god/|title=Trump at Liberty University commencement: 'In America, we don't worship government; we worship God'|last=Borchers|first=Callum|date=May 13, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 4, 2019|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630073245/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/05/13/trump-at-liberty-university-commencement-in-america-we-dont-worship-government-we-worship-god/|url-status=live}}

File:Mike Pence NFL Protests 2017.jpg, and Major General Courtney P. Carr stand for the national anthem.]]

On June 30, 2017, Pence was appointed chair of the National Space Council after Trump signed an executive order reestablishing the council.{{cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Sarah |date=June 30, 2017 |title=President Trump relaunches the National Space Council |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/06/30/trump-relaunches-the-national-space-council/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117080740/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/06/30/trump-relaunches-the-national-space-council/ |url-status=live }} As chair, Pence held eight meetings from 2017 to 2020.{{cite news |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=December 1, 2021 |title=National Space Council meeting today: Watch live here at 1:30 pm ET |url=https://www.space.com/national-space-council-first-meeting-kamala-harris-webcast |work=Space.com |access-date=July 31, 2023}}

On October 8, 2017, Pence walked out of a game between the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers after members of the 49ers knelt during the national anthem. Shortly afterwards, Pence commented via Twitter, "President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our national anthem," adding, "While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I don't think it's too much to ask NFL players to respect the flag and our national anthem."{{cite news |url=https://time.com/4973848/mike-pence-national-anthem-nfl-protest/ |title=Vice President Mike Pence Leaves Football Game After Players Kneel During National Anthem |last=Abramson |first=Alana |magazine=Time |date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110230605/http://time.com/4973848/mike-pence-national-anthem-nfl-protest/ |url-status=live }} Pence was widely criticized by various people for what was considered a publicity stunt. Democratic representative Adam Schiff (CA-28) questioned how much taxpayer's money was used to fund Pence's actions,{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/08/pence-nfl-game-anthem-protest-243583|title=Pence leaves NFL game after players kneel during anthem|work=Politico|first=Brent D.|last=Griffiths|date=October 8, 2017|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141630/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/08/pence-nfl-game-anthem-protest-243583|url-status=live}} and CNN later estimated that the total cost of his eight hours of travel on Air Force Two to attend the game was about $242,500, not including ground transportation and security.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/08/politics/pence-indianapolis-flights-cost/index.html|title=The price tag for Pence's trip to Indianapolis |work=CNN |first=Rene |last=Marsh |date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=June 10, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506120148/https://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/08/politics/pence-indianapolis-flights-cost/index.html |archive-date=May 6, 2020}} 49ers safety Eric Reid (the second NFL player after Colin Kaepernick to participate in the protests) told reporters it was predictable that Pence would walk out, knowing that most of the team were protesting. Reid also expressed doubt over the regularity Pence is in terms of attending Colts matches, and referenced a photograph of the vice president and his wife in Colts uniform that had been tweeted before the match, although the official photograph (right) proved otherwise. The photograph in question was first published in 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2017/10/08/vice-president-mike-pence-colts-national-anthem-protest/744447001/ |title=Mike Pence tweets same picture from Colts game that he tweeted in 2014 |work=CNN |first=Matthew |last=VanTryon |date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=June 10, 2018 |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807112927/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2017/10/08/vice-president-mike-pence-colts-national-anthem-protest/744447001/ |url-status=live }} Sportswriter Peter King wrote that the furor surrounding Pence had overshadowed Peyton Manning, who was being honored by the Colts, saying, "Pence trumped a day that belonged to the greatest football hero the state of Indiana has ever seen, and he did it for political purposes{{spaces}}... he stole Manning's last great day as a Colt. [He] will have to live with himself for that." The following year, Pence reacted positively on Twitter, after NFL owners unanimously decided to approve a new policy requiring all players to stand (or, given the option to stay in the locker room) during the national anthem, despite not consulting the NFL Players Association.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/389031-pence-celebrates-nfl-requiring-players-to-stand-for-anthem-winning/|title=Pence celebrates NFL requiring players to stand for anthem: 'Winning'|work=The Hill|first=Josh|last=Delk|date=May 23, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018}}

File:Vice President Mike Pence Watches Short Track Speedskating with President Moon DSC 7859.jpg at the 2018 Winter Olympics]]

On February 1, 2018, it was announced that Pence would lead the presidential delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics, alongside his wife.{{cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2017/02/01/vice-president-mike-pence-announces-jarrod-agen-director-communications|title=Presidential Delegation to Attend Winter Olympics|date=February 1, 2018|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov |access-date=June 10, 2018}} Much of Pence's time at Pyeongchang was affected by the ongoing North Korean crisis. Prior to the opening ceremony, on February 9, Pence skipped on a dinner held by South Korean president Moon Jae-in, as he would have shared a table with North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43003564|title=Winter Olympics 2018: Pence skips dinner with N Koreans|publisher=BBC News|date=February 9, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625113522/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43003564|url-status=live}} Instead, he met with four North Korean defectors in Pyeongtaek, alongside his special guest, Fred Warmbier (the father of Otto Warmbier, who was arrested in North Korea for attempted theft, and sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, before returning to the U.S. in a comatose state).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42950087|title=Otto Warmbier's father to attend Olympics in South Korea|publisher=BBC News|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703064512/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42950087|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/02/09/mike-pence-accompanied-otto-warmbiers-father-meets-north-korean-defectors/322624002/|title=Mike Pence, accompanied by Otto Warmbier's father, meets with North Korean defectors|work=Cincinnati.com|date=February 9, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=January 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108224235/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/02/09/mike-pence-accompanied-otto-warmbiers-father-meets-north-korean-defectors/322624002/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/04/politics/otto-warmbier-father-pyeongchang-olympics/index.html|title=Father of Otto Warmbier will attend Olympic Opening Ceremony with Pence|work=CNN|first=Aileen|last=Graef|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612154006/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/04/politics/otto-warmbier-father-pyeongchang-olympics/index.html|url-status=live}} At the ceremony, the Pences were seated in front of the North Korean delegates, and when North and South Korean athletes entered during the Parade of Athletes, they chose to stay seated, which prompted critics to accuse Pence of hypocrisy in regard to the NFL protests.{{cite news|last1=Banks|first1=Paul M.|title=Winter Olympics Verify Mike Pence Hypocrisy on NFL National Anthem Protests|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/patriotic-dissenter/2018/02/winter-olympics-verify-mike-pence-hypocrisy-on-nfl-national-anthem-protests/|access-date=February 13, 2018|work=ChicagoNow|date=February 9, 2018|archive-date=February 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213115735/http://www.chicagonow.com/patriotic-dissenter/2018/02/winter-olympics-verify-mike-pence-hypocrisy-on-nfl-national-anthem-protests/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Meeks|first1=David|title=By not standing for Korea at the 2018 Winter Olympics, VP Mike Pence embarrassed America|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/winter-olympics-2018/2018/02/12/vice-president-mike-pence-north-korea-embarrassed-america/328254002/|access-date=February 13, 2018|work=USA Today|date=February 12, 2018|archive-date=February 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212220522/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/winter-olympics-2018/2018/02/12/vice-president-mike-pence-north-korea-embarrassed-america/328254002/|url-status=live}} Pence was supposed to meet with the North Koreans on February 10, but they pulled out at the last day.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43137023|title=N Korea cancelled Pence Olympic meeting in S Korea, says US|publisher=BBC News|date=February 21, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621090824/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43137023|url-status=live}}

File:President Trump Watches as U.S. Special Operations Forces Close in on ISIS Leader (48967991042).jpg on ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on October 26, 2019]]

Over the next few months, the North Koreans started communicating more with their neighbors, as Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un secretly met with Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping in March and then Moon Jae-in in an historic inter-Korean summit in April,{{cite news|title=Stop Calling China's Xi Jinping 'President,' U.S. Panel Says|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/stop-calling-chinas-xi-jinping-president-u-s-panel-says-11573740000|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 14, 2019|author=Kate O'Keeffe and Katy Stech Ferek|language=en|access-date=December 22, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115142227/https://www.wsj.com/articles/stop-calling-chinas-xi-jinping-president-u-s-panel-says-11573740000|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Momentum grows for dropping 'President' from title of China's leader; Remove 'veneer' of legitimacy |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/28/xi-jinping-dubbed-china-general-secretary-shows-tr/ |publisher=The Washington Times |date=November 28, 2019 |first=Ben |last=Wolfgang |language=en |access-date=December 22, 2019 |archive-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215175131/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/28/xi-jinping-dubbed-china-general-secretary-shows-tr/ |url-status=live }} and around the same time, a meeting between Trump and Kim was also proposed. On May 10, Pence accompanied Trump to Andrews Air Force Base as three American citizens were released by North Korea, and in an early morning interview with ABC's Jonathan Karl, he said seeing the men back on American soil "was really one of the greatest joys of my life".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/10/trump-welcomes-home-three-americans-released-by-north-korea-pyongyang|title=Trump welcomes home three Americans released by North Korea|work=The Guardian|first=Benjamin|last=Haas|date=May 10, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143609/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/10/trump-welcomes-home-three-americans-released-by-north-korea-pyongyang|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/released-prisoners-greatest-joys-life-pence/story?id=55063444|title=Seeing released prisoners from North Korea 'one of the greatest joys of my life,' Pence says|work=ABC News|first1=Alisa|last1=Wiersema|first2=Jonathan|last2=Karl|first3=Justin|last3=Doom|date=May 10, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143447/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/released-prisoners-greatest-joys-life-pence/story?id=55063444|url-status=live}} Talks broke down later that month following comments made by Pence and Trump, comparing the situation to events in Libya seven years previous, despite their voluntary disarmament of nuclear weapons in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/24/trump-cancels-north-korea-nuclear-summit|title=Donald Trump cancels North Korea nuclear summit|work=The Guardian|first1=Julian|last1=Borger|first2=Benjamin|last2=Haas|date=May 24, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610071331/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/24/trump-cancels-north-korea-nuclear-summit|url-status=live}} North Korean vice foreign minister Choe Son-hui called Pence's remarks "ignorant and stupid".{{cite news|last1=Noack|first1=Rick|title=How Kim-Trump tensions escalated: The more the U.S. said 'Libya', the angrier North Korea got|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2018/05/24/the-more-pence-and-trump-say-libya-the-angrier-north-korea-gets|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 25, 2018|archive-date=May 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525061808/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2018/05/24/the-more-pence-and-trump-say-libya-the-angrier-north-korea-gets/|url-status=live}} On May 24, Trump abruptly called off the summit with Pence in attendance, only for him to change his mind a day later,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/donald-trump-north-korea-summit-reversal |title=Donald Trump says North Korea summit could be back on |work=The Guardian |first1=Sabrina |last1=Siddiqui |first2=Benjamin |last2=Haas |first3=Justin |last3=McCurry |date=May 25, 2018 |access-date=June 10, 2018 |archive-date=June 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609005602/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/donald-trump-north-korea-summit-reversal |url-status=live }} later announcing that it would still be scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/27/north-korea-us-summit-on-track-says-moon-candid-talks-friend-kim-jong-un|title=Trump confirms US negotiators in North Korea for summit talks|work=The Guardian|first1=Benjamin|last1=Haas|first2=Tom|last2=McCarthy|first3=martin|last3=Pengelly|date=May 27, 2018|access-date=June 10, 2018|archive-date=June 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610000652/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/27/north-korea-us-summit-on-track-says-moon-candid-talks-friend-kim-jong-un|url-status=live}}

In October 2018, Pence gave a speech regarding China at the Hudson Institute, accusing China of predatory economic practices, military aggression, and trying to undermine President Trump. He said China "wants a different American president" and accused the country of meddling in U.S. elections. He said China was building "an unparalleled surveillance state" to suppress minorities, and accused it of engaging in "debt-trap diplomacy". In regards to Taiwan, he said "while our administration will continue to respect our One China Policy … Taiwan’s embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people".{{Cite web |last1=Gaouette |first1=Nicole |last2=Labott |first2=Elise |last3=Griffiths |first3=James |last4=Westcott |first4=Ben |date=October 4, 2018 |title=Pence attacks China on 'predatory' trade, 'aggression' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/04/politics/pence-china-trump-intl/index.html |access-date=January 3, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}} The New York Times wrote the speech, with a tone much more hawkish than what U.S. officials previously used regarding China, was similar to a declaration of a new Cold War.{{Cite news |last=Perlez |first=Jane |date=October 5, 2018 |title=Pence's China Speech Seen as Portent of 'New Cold War' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/05/world/asia/pence-china-speech-cold-war.html |access-date=January 3, 2025 |work=The New York Times}}

File:National Veterans Day Observance 2019 (49051656176).jpg and fellow Hoosier Dan Quayle and Marilyn Quayle with Pence in 2019]]

In September 2019, Pence attended official meetings with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar in Dublin, Ireland but stayed at President Trump's resort in Doonbeg, {{convert|180|miles|km}} away. Pence's schedule included four hours spent in transit in one day, and two flights on Air Force Two before the end of the next day. Costs for the limousine service alone totaled $599,000 according to State Department receipts, compared to President Obama's three-day trip to Dublin with the same limousine company totaling $114,000.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Allan |date=September 11, 2019 |title=Pence's Doonbeg detour cost nearly $600K in ground transportation fees |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/pence-s-doonbeg-detour-cost-nearly-600k-ground-transportation-fees-n1052401 |url-status=live |work=NBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214180903/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/pence-s-doonbeg-detour-cost-nearly-600k-ground-transportation-fees-n1052401 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=July 23, 2020 }}{{cite news |last=Honl-Stuenkel |first=Linnaea |date=September 10, 2019 |title=Mike Pence's Doonbeg Detour to Cost Nearly $600k—CREW |url=https://www.citizensforethics.org/mike-pence-doonbeg-cost-nearly-600k/ |url-status=live |work=Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615165031/https://www.citizensforethics.org/mike-pence-doonbeg-cost-nearly-600k/ |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |access-date=July 23, 2020 }}

In February 2020, Pence defended debt- and deficit-spending as a measure to stimulate economic growth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/07/pence-defends-deficit-expansion-under-trump-as-necessary-for-growth.html|title=Vice President Pence defends deficit expansion under Trump as necessary for economic growth|last=Breuninger|first=Kevin|date=February 7, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=March 15, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227003725/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/07/pence-defends-deficit-expansion-under-trump-as-necessary-for-growth.html|url-status=live}}

In May 2017, Pence filed Federal Election Commission paperwork to form Great America Committee, a political action committee (PAC) that would be headed by his former campaign staffers Nick Ayers and Marty Obst.{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/pence-creates-pac-ahead-2018-2020-elections-n761436 |title=Pence Creates PAC Ahead of 2018, 2020 Elections |last=Hillyard |first=Vaughn |date=May 18, 2017 |work=NBC News |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518125918/http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/pence-creates-pac-ahead-2018-2020-elections-n761436 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00640664/1162693/ |title=FILING FEC-1162693 |author= |date=May 17, 2017 |website=docquery.fec.gov |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518134354/http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00640664/1162693/ |url-status=live }} Pence is the only vice president to have started his own PAC while still in office.{{cite magazine |last=Zorthian |first=Julia |url=https://time.com/4784340/mike-pence-creates-pac/ |title=Vice President Mike Pence Just Created His Own PAC |magazine=Time |date=May 18, 2017 |access-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-date=August 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804230457/http://time.com/4784340/mike-pence-creates-pac/ |url-status=live }} Pence denied a New York Times article's allegations that he would run for president in 2020, calling them "laughable and absurd", and said the article was "disgraceful and offensive".{{cite news |last=Shugerman |first=Emily |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mike-pence-vice-president-run-in-2022-disgraceful-and-offensive-a7879686.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mike-pence-vice-president-run-in-2022-disgraceful-and-offensive-a7879686.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Vice President Mike Pence calls claims he will run in 2020 'disgraceful and offensive' |newspaper=The Independent |date=August 6, 2017 |access-date=August 8, 2017 }}

Pence was a key player in the Trump–Ukraine scandal and the Trump impeachment inquiry. Pence had at least two phone conversations and an in-person meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. Pence met with Zelensky in Poland on September 1, 2019, during an unexpected delay in U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Pence later told the press that he did not mention 2020 presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden to Zelensky, but raised issues regarding Ukrainian corruption.{{cite news |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |title=Trump and Ukraine: A Guide to the Key Players |date=October 8, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-ukraine-a-guide-to-the-key-players-11570549980?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=12 |access-date=November 18, 2019 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804044643/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-and-ukraine-a-guide-to-the-key-players-11570549980?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=12 |url-status=live }}

After the inquiry was opened, Pence publicly stated his support of Trump's call for foreign investigation into Joe Biden and his son Hunter, saying, "I think the American people have a right to know if the vice president of the United States or his family profited from his position."{{Cite news|last=Lejeune|first=Tristan|date=October 3, 2019|title=Pence defends Trump's calls for Ukraine to investigate Biden|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/464246-pence-defends-trumps-calls-for-ukraine-to-investigate-biden/|access-date=January 1, 2020}} On October 3, Pence stated, "My predecessor had a son who was paid $50,000 a month to be on a Ukrainian board at the time that Vice President Biden was leading the Obama administration's efforts in Ukraine, I think [that] is worth looking into."{{cite news |title=Pence says Biden, son should be investigated for Ukraine dealings |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-pence/pence-says-biden-son-should-be-investigated-for-ukraine-dealings-idUSKBN1WI232 |work=Reuters |date=October 3, 2019 |access-date=October 5, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023329/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-whistleblower-pence/pence-says-biden-son-should-be-investigated-for-ukraine-dealings-idUSKBN1WI232 |url-status=live }}

Pence defended Trump's decision in January 2020 to assassinate the Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Qasem Soleimani, promoting conspiracy theories that supposedly linked the al-Qaeda attacks on the United States to Iran. In a series of tweets, the vice president termed Soleimani "an evil man who was responsible for killing thousands of Americans". Pence insisted Soleimani had "assisted in the clandestine travel to Afghanistan of 10 of the 12 terrorists who carried out the September 11 terrorist attacks", which critics said was his confusing the number of 9/11 hijackers (actually 19) and insinuating (without evidence) that the general was involved. Many experts responded that Pence's claims were unsubstantiated.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/03/mike-pence-iran-911-suleimani |title=Mike Pence pushes 9/11 conspiracy theories to justify Suleimani killing |newspaper=The Guardian |first=Maanvi |last=Singh |date=January 3, 2020 |access-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104022100/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/03/mike-pence-iran-911-suleimani |url-status=live }} Pence's spokeswoman Katie Waldman said that the dozen terrorists Pence referred to were those who had traveled through Afghanistan, ten of whom "were assisted by Soleimani".{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/pences-linkage-of-soleimani-to-9-11-hijackers-is-challenged/ |title=Pence's linkage of Soleimani to 9/11 hijackers is challenged |agency=AFP |date=January 4, 2020 |website=Times of Israel |access-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-date=January 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105032340/https://www.timesofisrael.com/pences-linkage-of-soleimani-to-9-11-hijackers-is-challenged/ |url-status=live }}

{{stack|File:Coronavirus Task Force Press Briefing (49614882048).jpg brief the media in March 2020.]]}}

On February 26, 2020, President Trump named Pence as the leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.{{cite web |author1=Cancryn, Adam |author2=Forgey, Quint |author3=Diamond, Dan |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/27/white-house-coronavirus-response-debbie-birx-117893 |title=After fumbled messaging, Trump gets a coronavirus czar by another name |work=Politico |date=February 27, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229222027/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/27/white-house-coronavirus-response-debbie-birx-117893 |url-status=live }} Various public health officials and members of Congress had suggested the selection of a "Coronavirus Czar", though Trump said that would not be the title's name.{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/02/26/809726490/trump-white-house-resists-calls-to-appoint-a-coronavirus-czar|title=Trump White House Resists Calls To Appoint A Coronavirus Czar|website=NPR.org|date=February 26, 2020|language=en|access-date=February 27, 2020|last1=Welna|first1=David|archive-date=February 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226232829/https://www.npr.org/2020/02/26/809726490/trump-white-house-resists-calls-to-appoint-a-coronavirus-czar|url-status=live}} As the leader of the task force, Pence coordinated efforts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Department of Homeland Security, and White House Office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/26/trump-puts-pence-in-charge-of-coronavirus-response-117790|title=Trump puts Pence in charge of coronavirus response|last=Choi|first=Matthew|website=Politico|date=February 26, 2020|language=en|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227012708/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/26/trump-puts-pence-in-charge-of-coronavirus-response-117790|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Holpuch|first=Amanda|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/26/coronavirus-donald-trump-us-response|title=Donald Trump puts Mike Pence in charge of US coronavirus response|date=February 27, 2020|work=The Guardian|access-date=February 27, 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=February 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226140844/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/26/coronavirus-donald-trump-us-response|url-status=live}}

In April 2020, Pence exempted himself from the Mayo Clinic's policy of wearing a face mask in the hospital during a visit. Pence defended his action, saying he needed to look staff "in the eye".{{Cite web|title=Leaving Off Mask At Mayo Clinic, Pence Said He Wanted To Look Workers 'In The Eye'|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/28/847570879/pence-responds-to-critics-after-not-wearing-face-mask-at-mayo-clinic|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=May 16, 2020|first=Alana|last=Wise|date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009093042/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/28/847570879/pence-responds-to-critics-after-not-wearing-face-mask-at-mayo-clinic|url-status=live}} The next day, the vice president's opponents criticized him for promoting "completely irresponsible public health messaging".{{Cite web|title=Pence forgoes a face mask at Mayo Clinic, appearing to violate policy|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-face-mask-mayo-clinic-visit/|access-date=June 8, 2020|website=www.cbsnews.com|date=April 29, 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=June 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608020517/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-face-mask-mayo-clinic-visit/|url-status=live}} Later, Pence acknowledged he should have worn a mask during the hospital visit, and did so two days later when visiting a ventilator production facility.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/03/coronavirus-mike-pence-mask-mayo-clinic/3075946001/ |title=Vice President Mike Pence on Mayo Clinic visit: 'I should have worn a mask' |newspaper=USA Today |date=May 3, 2020 |first=Michael |last=Collins |access-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516185200/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/03/coronavirus-mike-pence-mask-mayo-clinic/3075946001/ |url-status=live }}

In late June 2020, as coronavirus cases were spiking, Pence gave an optimistic press briefing where he made several misleading and false claims about the state of the coronavirus pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Dale|first=Analysis by Daniel|title=Fact check: As pandemic situation worsens, Pence paints a deceptively rosy picture|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/26/politics/fact-check-pence-briefing-coronavirus-june/index.html|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=CNN|date=June 26, 2020|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712075345/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/26/politics/fact-check-pence-briefing-coronavirus-june/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Qiu|first=Linda|date=June 26, 2020|title=As Cases Surge, Pence Misleads on Coronavirus Pandemic|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/coronavirus-pence-fact-check.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626235006/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/us/politics/coronavirus-pence-fact-check.html |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=July 14, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} He misleadingly argued that surges in cases were the result of increased testing, telling reporters that increases in new cases were "a reflection of a great success in expanding testing across the country". However, health experts noted that case growth outpaced the number of tests, and that the share of positive tests was increasing.{{Cite web|last=Oprysko|first=Caitlin|title=Texas, Florida governors order bars closed, impose new restrictions as cases surge|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/26/austin-texas-mayor-steve-adler-coronavirus-341016|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=Politico|date=June 26, 2020|language=en|archive-date=July 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712164736/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/26/austin-texas-mayor-steve-adler-coronavirus-341016|url-status=live}} Pence also falsely claimed that coronavirus fatalities were declining all across the country (Statistics here), that the curve had been flattened, and that all 50 states were opening up. In private meetings with Republican senators, Pence urged them to focus on "encouraging signs". Pence told the senators that cases were increasing in only 3% of counties and 12 states; however, data at the time showed that cases were increasing in at least 5% of counties and in at least 20 states.{{Cite news |date=2020 |title=Pence tries to assure GOP senators as coronavirus cases spike |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/06/24/pence-coronavirus-spike-senate/ |access-date=July 14, 2020 |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210175236/https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/06/24/pence-coronavirus-spike-senate/ |url-status=live }} On December 18, the Pences received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, in front of a live audience at a televised event to show Americans that the vaccine is safe and effective.{{Cite web|first1=Maegan|last1=Vazquez|first2=Betsy|last2=Klein|title=Pence receives coronavirus vaccine Friday morning|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/18/politics/mike-pence-coronavirus-vaccination/index.html|access-date=December 18, 2020|website=CNN|date=December 18, 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218113628/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/18/politics/mike-pence-coronavirus-vaccination/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title='I Didn't Feel A Thing:' Pence Gets Coronavirus Vaccine In Public Event |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/12/18/947744956/i-didnt-feel-a-thing-pence-gets-coronavirus-vaccine-in-public-event |website=NPR.org |access-date=December 18, 2020 |language=en |date=December 18, 2020 |quote=Vice President Pence, Karen Pence, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams received a coronavirus vaccine on Friday at the White House in a televised event aimed at showing the vaccine is safe and effective. |archive-date=December 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218222519/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/12/18/947744956/i-didnt-feel-a-thing-pence-gets-coronavirus-vaccine-in-public-event |url-status=live }}{{cite AV media |date=December 18, 2020 |title=Pence receives Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine |medium=Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCiU2KAuNgQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/cCiU2KAuNgQ |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|newspaper=Washington Post on YouTube }}{{cbignore}}

{{See also|Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign|2020 United States presidential election}}

Ahead of his presidential campaign on February 28, 2019, Joe Biden referred to Pence as a "decent guy" in a speech in Omaha, Nebraska, when making an anecdote about an audience falling silent after Pence mentioned Trump's name. Biden later faced criticism for his complimentary remarks due to Pence's alleged anti-LGBT positions, which Biden would later apologize for and clarify by saying, "I was making a point in a foreign policy context, that under normal circumstances a Vice President wouldn't be given a silent reaction on the world stage." Biden had previously referred to Pence as a "decent guy" in 2018, and Pence and Biden exchanged conversations via phone before Pence's 2017 transition into the vice presidency.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/28/politics/joe-biden-mike-pence-decent-guy-criticize-respond/index.html|title=Joe Biden responds to criticism after calling Pence a 'decent guy'|first=Arlette|last=Saenz|website=CNN|date=March 1, 2019|access-date=July 4, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613150059/https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/28/politics/joe-biden-mike-pence-decent-guy-criticize-respond/index.html|url-status=dead}}

In June 2019, the Democratic former New York City Council president Andrew Stein opined that Trump could improve his re-election chances by replacing Pence as his running mate with former South Carolina governor and former United States ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-haley-in-2020-11561316951 |title=Trump-Haley in 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal |first=Andrew |last=Stein |date=June 23, 2019 |access-date=July 12, 2019 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709221111/https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-haley-in-2020-11561316951 |url-status=live }} Despite that, Trump said Pence will be his running mate. He declined to endorse Pence should his running mate seek in 2024 to succeed him, but said he would give it "very strong consideration".{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/06/26/trump-says-mike-pence-will-be-running-mate/1570218001/ |title=Trump says Mike Pence is his 2020 running mate '100%,' dismisses idea of running with Nikki Haley |first=William |last=Cummings |work=USA Today |date=June 26, 2019 |access-date=July 12, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713025530/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/06/26/trump-says-mike-pence-will-be-running-mate/1570218001/ |url-status=live }}

In remarks about law enforcement during the 2020 Republican convention, Pence said a federal security officer, Dave Underwood, "was shot and killed during the riots in Oakland", implying he was killed by rioters, when instead a man linked to the far-right Boogaloo movement had exploited the unrest as a cover for murder.{{Cite web |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/protests/article_efa711fc-aa39-5983-841f-58bcfd04c753.amp.html |title=The Buffalo News |first1= |last1= |date=August 31, 2020 |website=buffalonews.com |access-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702232912/https://buffalonews.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/protests/article_efa711fc-aa39-5983-841f-58bcfd04c753.amp.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://abc7news.com/6391139/ |title=RNC 2020: Mike Pence's comments on killing of Oakland federal officer David Patrick Underwood are misleading |first1=Liz |last1=Kreutz |first2=Melanie |last2=Woodrow |date=August 27, 2020 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126050404/https://abc7news.com/6391139/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/pence-blurs-details-about-killing-of-oakland-federal-officer-by-alleged-right-wing-extremist|title=Pence blurs details about killing of Oakland federal officer by alleged right-wing extremist|date=August 27, 2020|website=KTVU FOX 2|access-date=September 1, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224842/https://www.fox6now.com/news/pence-blurs-details-about-killing-of-oakland-federal-officer-by-alleged-right-wing-extremist|url-status=live}}

On October 7, 2020, Pence participated in a debate with Kamala Harris that was held by USA Today in Salt Lake City, Utah, and moderated by Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief of the newspaper. The debate was held with adaptations designed to avoid contagion of the COVID-19 virus given that the vice president had been in close contact with people who had been infected at a recent event at the White House. Plexiglas partitions separated the candidates and masks were required for all attending except the candidates and moderator.{{Cite web|last=Moniuszko|first=Sara M.|date=October 8, 2020|title=Following backlash, Karen Pence's team says 'both sides agreed' spouses would remove masks|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/10/08/vp-debate-karen-pence-didnt-wear-face-mask-despite-rules/5920817002/|access-date=October 11, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010150107/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/10/08/vp-debate-karen-pence-didnt-wear-face-mask-despite-rules/5920817002/|url-status=live}}{{efn|At the end of the debate, Second Lady Karen Pence was seen onstage without a mask, which her spokesperson said was on the basis of an agreement with Harris's husband, Douglas Emhoff, who ended up wearing his mask onstage.}} By some estimates, Pence interrupted Harris twice as much as she interrupted him.{{cite news |last1=Cheung |first1=Helier |title=VP debate: Did gender play a role in the interruptions? |work=BBC News |date=October 8, 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54467093 |access-date=October 11, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117190439/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54467093 |url-status=live }} Media outlets noted that near the end of the debate, a fly landed on Pence's head for almost two minutes.{{Cite web |last=Stieb |first=Matt |date=October 7, 2020 |title=Mike Pence Had a Fly on His Head for Almost Two Minutes During the VP Debate |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/fly-on-mike-pence-for-2-minutes-in-vice-presidential-debate.html |access-date=October 11, 2020 |website=New York Intelligencer |language=en-us |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028152144/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/10/fly-on-mike-pence-for-2-minutes-in-vice-presidential-debate.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=O'Kane|first=Caitlin|date=October 8, 2020|title=A fly landed on Mike Pence's head during the debate and rested there for nearly two minutes|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fly-landed-pence-head-vp-debate/|access-date=October 11, 2020|website=CBS News|language=en-US|archive-date=October 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010133228/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fly-landed-pence-head-vp-debate/|url-status=live}} A CNN poll found that 59% of registered voters felt that Harris had won the debate, while 38% felt that Pence had.

On November 7, 2020, after several days of vote counting, Biden and Harris were declared by most major news networks to be the winners of the election.{{Cite web|title=Biden defeats Trump to win White House, NBC News projects|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-defeats-trump-win-white-house-nbc-news-projects-n1246912|access-date=November 8, 2020|website=NBC News|date=November 8, 2020|language=en|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114193707/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-defeats-trump-win-white-house-nbc-news-projects-n1246912|url-status=live}} On December 14 the Electoral College confirmed the win, giving the Biden-Harris campaign 306 votes compared to 232 for the Trump–Pence campaign;{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2020-12-14/electors-meeting-to-formally-choose-biden-as-next-president|title=Electoral College Makes It Official: Biden Won, Trump Lost|date=December 14, 2020|work=U.S. News & World Report|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108102621/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2020-12-14/electors-meeting-to-formally-choose-biden-as-next-president|url-status=live}} however, Trump refused to concede and insisted that he had actually won. Throughout November and December Trump and his campaign filed more than 50 lawsuits alleging election fraud and other irregularities; all of them were eventually rejected by judges.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-losing-election-lawsuits-36d113484ac0946fa5f0614deb7de15e|title=Trump loves to win but keeps losing election lawsuits|last=Richer|first=Alanna Durkin|date=December 4, 2020|work=AP News|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=December 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222013329/https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-losing-election-lawsuits-36d113484ac0946fa5f0614deb7de15e|url-status=live}}

Trump also pressured Republican officials, lawmakers and even the Justice Department to take actions to overturn the election.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Anita |last2=Orr |first2=Gabby |last3=McGraw |first3=Meridith |title=Inside Trump's pressure campaign to overturn the election |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-pressure-campaign-overturn-election-449486 |access-date=December 22, 2020 |work=Politico |date=December 21, 2020 |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222010353/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/21/trump-pressure-campaign-overturn-election-449486 |url-status=live }}

In late December 2020, a federal lawsuit was filed against Pence by Republican congressman Louie Gohmert and 11 Arizona Republicans who would have become presidential electors had Trump actually won Arizona. The plaintiffs sought to give the vice president the power to reject state certified presidential electors in favour of "competing slates of electors" so that Biden's victory over Trump could be overturned.{{cite news |last1=Larson |first1=Erik |title=Pence Sued by GOP Congressman Over Competing Electors |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-28/pence-sued-by-gop-congressman-in-fight-over-competing-electors |access-date=January 3, 2021 |work=Bloomberg News |date=December 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230053614/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-28/pence-sued-by-gop-congressman-in-fight-over-competing-electors |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Pence asks judge to reject Gohmert lawsuit asking the VP to interfere in the Electoral College count|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/31/politics/pence-gohmert-electoral-college-lawsuit/index.html|website=CNN|access-date=January 2, 2021|date=January 1, 2021|last1=Berman|first1=Dan|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101010822/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/31/politics/pence-gohmert-electoral-college-lawsuit/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Cheney |first1=Kyle |last2=Gerstein |first2=Josh |title=Pence: Gohmert's fight to overturn the 2020 election results is with Congress, not me |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/31/pence-overturn-election-results-lawsuit-453207 |website=Politico |access-date=January 2, 2021 |date=December 31, 2020 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231234423/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/31/pence-overturn-election-results-lawsuit-453207 |url-status=live }} The United States Department of Justice represented Pence in this case, and argued for its dismissal, stating that the lawsuit was a "walking legal contradiction" because it sought to grant power to the vice president, while suing the vice president. Within a week, the lawsuit was dismissed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, and the appeal was rejected by a United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit panel, both due to the plaintiffs' lack of standing.{{cite web |last1=Gerstein |first1=Josh |last2=Cheney |first2=Kyle |title=Judge throws out Gohmert suit aimed at empowering Pence to overturn 2020 election results |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/01/louie-gohmert-lawsuit-pence-453387 |website=Politico |access-date=January 3, 2021 |date=January 2, 2021 |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104171404/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/01/01/louie-gohmert-lawsuit-pence-453387 |url-status=live }} Gohmert then appealed to the Supreme Court, which on January{{spaces}}7 tersely "denied" his petition.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Stewart |title=SCOTUS rejects Gohmert's last-minute appeal |url=https://www.kltv.com/2021/01/07/scotus-rejects-gohmerts-last-minute-appeal/ |access-date=January 9, 2021 |work=KLTV |date=January 7, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115180244/https://www.kltv.com/2021/01/07/scotus-rejects-gohmerts-last-minute-appeal/ |url-status=live }}

{{Further|January 6 United States Capitol attack}}

In January 2021, Trump began to pressure Pence to take action to overturn the election. As vice president, Pence presided over the January 6, 2021, congressional joint session to count the electoral votes—normally a non-controversial, ceremonial event. In the days leading up to the session, Trump declared both in public and in private that Pence should use that position to overturn the election results in swing states and declare Trump–Pence the winners of the election.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Trump Says Pence Can Overturn His Loss in Congress. That's Not How It Works.|last=Schmidt|first=Michael S.|date=January 5, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 6, 2021}}{{cbignore}} Pence demurred that the United States Constitution did not give him that power, but Trump falsely insisted that "The Vice President and I are in total agreement that the Vice President has the power to act."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election-results.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/us/politics/pence-trump-election-results.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |title=Pence Said to Have Told Trump He Lacks Power to Change Election Result |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie|last2=Karni|first2=Annie|date=January 5, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 6, 2021}}{{cbignore}}

According to The New York Times, multiple sources claim that Trump called Pence before he departed to certify the results urging him again one last time ultimately telling him, "You can either go down in history as a patriot, or you can go down in history as a pussy."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/us/politics/mike-pence-trump.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/us/politics/mike-pence-trump.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited |title= Pence Reached His Limit With Trump. It Wasn't Pretty.|website=The New York Times |date= January 13, 2021|access-date= February 7, 2021|last1= Baker|first1= Peter|last2= Haberman|first2= Maggie|last3= Karni|first3= Annie}}{{cbignore}}

Before the start of the Joint Session, Pence stated in a "Dear Colleague" letter that the Constitution prevented him from deciding which electoral votes counted and which did not.{{cite news |url=https://www.axios.com/trump-pence-electoral-college-fa6456c7-b143-4582-8d2d-da5a8b33e3ec.html |title=Pence says he lacks authority to throw out Electoral College votes |last=Rummler|first=Orion|date=January 6, 2020|work=Axios|access-date=January 6, 2021}} According to Politico, Pence was inspired by Al Gore presiding over his own defeat twenty years earlier during the 2000 presidential election, when Pence was a newly-elected member of Congress.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/01/05/jan-6-mike-pence-al-gore-certification-00196119|title=20 Years Before Jan. 6, Al Gore Stood Up to His Own Party. Mike Pence Was Watching.|quote=The certification of the Electoral College was once seen as ceremonial. Two moments 20 years apart remind us how high the stakes really are.|website=Politico|access-date=January 5, 2025|date=January 5, 2025}}

On January 6, 2021, the day on which a joint session of Congress met to count and certify the results of the Electoral College for the 2020 presidential election, Trump held a rally at which he urged listeners to go to the Capitol and repeatedly expressed the hope that Pence would "do the right thing".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/10/us/trump-speech-riot.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/10/us/trump-speech-riot.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|title=Incitement to Riot? What Trump Told Supporters Before Mob Stormed Capitol |last=Savage|first=Charlie|date=January 10, 2021|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 15, 2021}}{{cbignore}} Many listeners then marched to the Capitol and stormed it.

On January 15, The Washington Post reported that Pence came "dangerously close" to the rioters during their occupation of the Capitol. Pence was not evacuated from the Senate chambers until 14 minutes after the initial breach of the Capitol was reported. He and his family were eventually ushered from the Senate chambers into a second-floor hideaway. One minute later, the mob rushed onto a stair landing only 100 feet away, from which they could have seen him enter the room if they had arrived a minute earlier.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-rioters-capitol-attack/2021/01/15/ab62e434-567c-11eb-a08b-f1381ef3d207_story.html|title=How the rioters who stormed the Capitol came dangerously close to Pence |last1=Parker|first1=Ashley|last2=Leonnig|first2=Carol D.|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|last4=Brown|first4=Emma|date=January 15, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 15, 2021}} After his evacuation from the Senate chambers, his Secret Service detail wanted to move him away from the Capitol building but he refused to get in the car.{{cite web | last=Blake | first=Aaron | title=Analysis - A top Democrat ties Pence's 'I'm not getting in the car' to Jan. 6 'coup' | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=April 26, 2022 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/26/pence-car-raskin-comments/ | access-date=October 16, 2022}} Pence later approved the deployment of the National Guard, which raised questions as the vice president is not the commander-in-chief.{{cite news |title=As the D.C. police clear the Capitol grounds, the mayor extends a public emergency. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/national-guard-capitol-army.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur |website=The New York Times |date = January 6, 2021|access-date=January 7, 2021|last1 = Cooper|first1 = Helene|last2 = Barnes|first2 = Julian E.|last3 = Schmitt|first3 = Eric|last4 = Martin|first4 = Jonathan|last5 = Haberman|first5 = Maggie|last6 = Ives|first6 = Mike}}{{Cite news |last1=Abbot |first1=Steve |last2=Chiarelli |first2=Peter |last3=Jumper |first3=John |last4=Loy |first4=James |last5=Nathman |first5=John |last6=Owens |first6=William |last7=Wilson |first7=Johnnie |date=July 21, 2022 |title=Opinion {{!}} We Are Retired Generals and Admirals. Trump's Actions on Jan 6 Were a Dereliction of Duty. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/21/opinion/january-6-trump-military.html |access-date=July 23, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}} After the Capitol was cleared, Congress resumed its joint session, and officially certified the election results with Pence declaring Biden and Harris the winners.{{Cite web |last=Cannon |first=Jay |title=Watch VP Pence confirm 2020 election win for Joe Biden hours after mob breaches Capitol |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/07/watch-pence-certify-biden-harris-election-results-after-capitol-riot/6578507002/ |access-date=January 8, 2021 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}

File:210120-D-WD757-1401 (50861237886).jpg at the inauguration of Joe Biden]]

During the siege, Trump criticized Pence as lacking "courage".{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/532942-trump-attacks-pence-as-protesters-force-their-way-into-capitol/|title=Trump attacks Pence as protesters force their way into Capitol|last=Samuels|first=Brett|date=January 6, 2021|work=The Hill|access-date=January 8, 2021}} Earlier L. Lin Wood, a lawyer associated with Trump, had called for Pence to be "executed" by "firing squad".{{cite news|last1=Rawnsley|first1=Adam|date=January 1, 2021 |title=Trump Team Backs Away From Lin Wood After Pence Tweets|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-team-runs-away-from-lin-wood-after-pence-tweets|access-date=January 2, 2021}}{{Cite web |last1=Brewster|first1=Jack|date=January 7, 2021|title=Lin Wood—Lawyer Closely Tied To Trump—Permanently Banned From Twitter After Claiming Capitol Siege Was 'Staged' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2021/01/07/lin-wood-lawyer-closely-tied-to-trump-permanently-banned-from-twitter-after-claiming-capitol-siege-was-staged/?sh=37a5c11c1be3|access-date=January 8, 2021|work=Forbes}} In spite of the threats against Pence, Trump never reached out to Pence or inquired about his safety during the attack on the Capitol, according to sources close to the vice president.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/pence-attend-biden-inauguration-n1253645|title=Pence to attend Biden inauguration; Trump never called him in the Capitol bunker, sources say |last1=Welker|first1=Kristin|last2=O'Donnell|first2=Kelly|last3=Alba|first3=Monica|date=January 9, 2021|work=NBC News|access-date=January 10, 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/protesters-storm-capitol-hill-building.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106220059/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/protesters-storm-capitol-hill-building.html |archive-date=January 6, 2021 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The storming of Capitol Hill was organized on social media. |last=Frenkel|first=Sheera |date=January 6, 2021|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 10, 2021}} Aides believed that Pence was being set up as a scapegoat for Trump's failure to overturn the results of the election.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-pence-riot/index.html|title=Trump pressured Pence to engineer a coup, then put the VP in danger, source says|last=Acosta|first=JIm|date=January 7, 2021|work=CNN|access-date=January 10, 2021}} Pence was described as very angry with Trump.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-pence-riot/index.html|title=Trump pressured Pence to engineer a coup, then put the VP in danger, source says |last1=Acosta|first1=Jim|last2=Brown|first2=Pamela|date=January 7, 2021|work=CNN|access-date=January 10, 2021}} The two did not speak for several days, until January 11 when they met at the White House to discuss the prior week's Capitol siege and the final days of their administration.{{cite news |url=https://wtmj.com/national/2021/01/11/after-frosty-few-days-pence-trump-appear-to-reach-detente/ |title=After frosty few days, Pence, Trump appear to reach détente |date=January 11, 2021 |publisher=WTMJ |agency=Associated Press |first1=Jill |last1=Colvin |first2=Zeke |last2=Miller |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115184536/https://wtmj.com/national/2021/01/11/after-frosty-few-days-pence-trump-appear-to-reach-detente/ |url-status=dead }}

On January 20, Pence attended the inauguration of Joe Biden as president of the United States, unlike Trump. Afterwards, he left the Capitol with his successor, Kamala Harris.{{cite news |last1=Gold |first1=Michael |date=January 20, 2021 |title=Harris escorted Pence to his motorcade, a symbol of a peaceful transfer of power. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/kamala-harris-mike-pence-inauguration.html |url-status=live |work=The New York Times |language=en |issn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201142935/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/kamala-harris-mike-pence-inauguration.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=June 3, 2021}}

On April 3, 2025, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation announced Pence as the recipient of the JFK Profile in Courage Award "for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021".{{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Jonathan J. |title=Pence will get the Profile in Courage Award from JFK Library Foundation for his actions on Jan. 6 |url=https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-profile-courage-award-jfk-3b6b54ca2738575c2777a4b9ec4d7f1f |access-date=April 3, 2025 |work=Associated Press |date=April 3, 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Bradner |first=Eric |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Pence says January 6 attack's failure 'became a triumph of freedom' as he receives JFK Profile in Courage Award |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/04/politics/mike-pence-jfk-award-january-6 |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=CNN Politics |language=en}}

Pence left office on January 20, 2021, succeeded by the 49th vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris. Pence did not have a permanent place of residence in Indiana when he left the vice presidency. Official records indicated that Pence had not owned a residence in Indiana since 2013, having lived in the governor's mansion and then the vice president's residence in Washington. As a result, for several months after leaving office, he and his wife stayed at residences owned by various Indiana Republican politicians. It is believed that he was at one time staying in a cabin owned by his former lieutenant governor, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.{{Cite news |last=Singh|first=Namita|date=January 27, 2021|title=Mike Pence is homeless after leaving office and 'couch-surfing' with Indiana politicians, report says|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pence-homeless-couch-surfing-indiana-b1793261.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/pence-homeless-couch-surfing-indiana-b1793261.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=January 28, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=LoBianco|first=Tom|date=January 27, 2021|title=Mike and Karen Pence are homeless and appear to be couch surfing their way through Indiana|work=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mike-pence-home-residence-after-vice-president-indiana-2021-1|url-access=subscription|access-date=January 28, 2021}} In May 2021, the Pences bought a home in Carmel, Indiana.{{cite news|url = https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/09/trump-vp-mike-pence-buys-house-carmel-indiana-real-estate/7618512002/|title = Former Vice President Mike Pence purchases $1.93 million, 7-bedroom mansion in Carmel|last = Lange|first = Kaitlin|date = June 9, 2021|accessdate = January 29, 2023|newspaper = The Indianapolis Star}}

In February 2021, it was announced that Pence would join The Heritage Foundation as a distinguished visiting fellow.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/04/pence-heritage-foundation-fellow-465884|title=Pence reveals his post-White House plans |work=Politico|first1=Daniel|last1=Lippman|first2=Gabby|last2=Orr|date=February 4, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2021}} He also joined the Young America's Foundation conservative youth organization, with plans to launch a new podcast with the group in the coming months.{{Cite web|last=Orr|first=Gabby|title=Mike Pence is starting a podcast|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/05/mike-pence-podcast-466096|date=February 5, 2021|access-date=February 9, 2021|website=Politico|language=en}} At speaking engagements in the months after the end of the Trump administration, Pence spoke with "an almost reverence" of the former president, according to one journalist.{{Cite news |last=Dawsey|first=Josh|title=As he reemerges onto the public stage, Pence sticks to the same strategy he used by Trump's side: Total fealty |language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-trump-south-carolina/2021/04/30/1a7d72d2-a9b9-11eb-bca5-048b2759a489_story.html |access-date=April 30, 2021 |issn=0190-8286 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024060753/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-trump-south-carolina/2021/04/30/1a7d72d2-a9b9-11eb-bca5-048b2759a489_story.html |archive-date=October 24, 2021 }}

File:Mike Pence (51460259021).jpg in September 2021]]

Pence narrated a four-part television series on the career of right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh titled Age of Rush, which debuted on Fox Nation in March 2021.{{cite web |last1=Weprin |first1=Alex |date=March 5, 2021 |title=Former VP Mike Pence to Narrate Rush Limbaugh Series for Fox Nation Streaming Service|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/former-vp-mike-pence-to-narrate-rush-limbaugh-series-for-fox-nation-streaming-service |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 7, 2021}} Pence had previously cited Limbaugh as an inspiration for his career in talk radio and then in politics.{{cite web |last1=Rutz |first1=David |date=February 17, 2021 |title=Pence: Rush Limbaugh was a 'giant,' inspired me to enter talk radio|url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/pence-rush-limbaugh-was-a-giant-inspired-me-to-enter-talk-radio |website=Fox News |access-date=March 7, 2021}} In April 2021, it was reported that Pence signed a deal with publisher Simon & Schuster for two books, including an autobiography.{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press|title=Mike Pence signs 2-book deal with Simon & Schuster; memoir to come out in 2023|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mike-pence-signs-2-book-deal-with-simon-schuster-memoir-to-come-out-in-2023-01617830158|access-date=April 10, 2021 |website=MarketWatch|language=en-US|date=April 7, 2021}}

The day the Supreme Court overturned Roe in June 2022, Pence told Breitbart News: "Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history...Having been given this second chance for life, we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land."{{Cite web |last=Berg |first=Matt |date=June 24, 2022 |title=Pence: 'We must not rest' until abortion is outlawed in every state|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/pence-we-must-not-rest-until-abortion-is-outlawed-in-every-state-00042315 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Politico}}

Pence appeared in the July 2022 documentary Unprecedented.{{cite web |last1=Buncombe |first1=Andrew |title=Alex Holder: How a little known British filmmaker came to be at the centre of the case against Trump|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-unprecedented-documentary-release-date-jan-6-b2116802.html |website=The Independent|date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=July 22, 2022}}

In October 2022, Pence condemned "unprincipled populism" and "Putin apologists" in the Republican Party.{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2022 |title=Pence warns of 'unprincipled populists,' 'Putin apologists' |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-europe-744e33c8ac5f789329a5f8ec178c1ef5 |access-date=October 19, 2022 |website=AP News |language=en}}

Since leaving the vice presidency, Pence has distanced himself from Trump's attempts to cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election and made high-profile speeches in early nominating states. Pence has also separated himself from Trump by endorsing candidates in several Republican primary elections in opposition to the candidate endorsed by Trump.{{cite web|first=Nicholas|last=Reimann|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/30/trump-vs-pence-all-the-endorsement-battles-theyre-waging/?sh=a73c6817bc6f|title=Trump Vs. Pence: All The Endorsement Battles They're Waging|website=Forbes|date=August 9, 2022|accessdate=December 4, 2022}} In the primary for governor of Georgia, Pence endorsed incumbent governor Brian Kemp over the Trump-backed candidate, former senator David Perdue. This was described as a "proxy battle" between Pence and Trump, with Pence's candidate Kemp winning the nomination easily.{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Jonathan |date=May 23, 2022 |title=Pence, Tiptoeing Away From Trump, Lays Groundwork for '24 Run |language=en-US |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/23/us/politics/pence-trump-republicans-2024.html |access-date=May 23, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}} In the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial election, Pence endorsed Karrin Taylor Robson while Trump endorsed Kari Lake. In the 2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election Pence endorsed former Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch; Trump supported businessman Tim Michels.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/30/trump-vs-pence-all-the-endorsement-battles-theyre-waging/?sh=2fc481857bc6|title=Trump Vs. Pence: All The Endorsement Battles They're Waging|last=Reimann|first=Nicholas|date=July 30, 2022|work=Forbes|access-date=August 1, 2022}}

On February 9, 2023, it was reported that Pence had been subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith regarding the attack on the Capitol, following months of negotiation between Pence's attorneys and the special counsel.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/mike-pence-subpoenaed-special-counsel-overseeing-trump-probes/story?id=97018886|title=Mike Pence subpoenaed by special counsel overseeing Trump probes: Sources|last1=Faulders|first1=Katherine|last2=Santucci|first2=John|date=February 9, 2023|work=ABC News|access-date=February 10, 2023}}{{Cite news |last1=Dawsey |first1=Josh |last2=Stein |first2=Perry |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Pence receives subpoena from prosecutors examining Trump's Jan. 6 role |newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/02/09/pence-subpoena-jan-6/ |access-date=February 10, 2023 |quote=The Pence subpoena is related to Jan. 6, according to the person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.}} After several unsuccessful challenges to the subpoena by Pence's lawyers and by Trump himself, Pence testified before the grand jury on April 27, 2023, saying, "We'll obey the law, we'll tell the truth."{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65423301|title=Mike Pence testifies in criminal probe of Trump and Capitol riot|last=Evans|first=Gareth|date=April 28, 2023|work=BBC News|access-date=April 28, 2023}}

The same day as the subpoena was reported, Pence released a statement expressing support for "parental rights", especially regarding how teachers treat children who express different gender identities, which he described as left-wing efforts "to indoctrinate our children behind parents' backs". The statement was released through Advancing American Freedom, a communications group Pence founded in 2021 with political donations.{{Cite web |last=Beaumont |first=Thomas |date=February 10, 2023 |title=Mike Pence Group To Run Ads Attacking School Trans Policies |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-pence-trans-ads-schools_n_63e5ed8ee4b0063ccb256436 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |website=HuffPost|language=en}}

Ahead of the RNC in 2024, Pence released a statement condemning the new GOP stance on abortion, which echoed Trump's position that the issue should be determined by individual states. Pence described this shift as a "profound disappointment", arguing that it strips away "historic pro-life principles that have long been the cornerstone of the platform".{{Cite web |last=Carloni |first=Brittany |title=Where's Mike? Here's what Pence is doing as Trump taps a new VP in Milwaukee |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/17/mike-pence-donald-trump-vp-pick-2016-is-he-at-2024-rnc/74448350007/ |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}

In October 2024, Pence said he supported the acquisition of U.S. Steel by the Japanese company Nippon Steel, arguing it would prevent the world from becoming more reliant on steel exports from China.{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2024 |title=Mike Pence Argues Nippon Steel's Purchase of U.S. Steel Is Necessary for Competing against China |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/mike-pence-argues-nippon-steels-purchase-of-u-s-steel-is-necessary-for-competing-against-china/ |access-date=October 19, 2024 |website=National Review |language=en-US}} President Biden blocked the purchase in January 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2vz83pg9eo|title=Biden blocks Japan's Nippon Steel from buying US Steel|first1=Natalie|last1=Sherman|publisher=BBC News|date=January 3, 2025|access-date=January 11, 2025}}

{{main|Mike Pence classified documents incident}}

In January 2023, after classified documents were found at the home of President Joe Biden, Pence asked his lawyer to search his home "out of an abundance of caution". The attorney found around a dozen documents marked as classified in Pence's Indiana home and turned over the documents to the FBI. The discovery came after Pence had repeatedly said that he did not have classified documents.{{cite news|author-link1=Jamie Gangel|last1=Gangel|first1=Jamie|last2=Herb|first2=Jeremy|last3=Perez|first3=Evan|title=First on CNN: Classified documents found at Pence's Indiana home|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/24/politics/pence-classified-documents-fbi/index.html |publisher=CNN|access-date=January 24, 2023 |date=January 24, 2023}} Pence has taken responsibility for the documents and said that he was unaware of his possession of them. The FBI and the Justice Department's National Security Division reviewed the incident. Pence indicated he would "fully cooperate".{{cite web |last1=Stracqualursi |first1=Veronica |title=Former Vice President Pence on classified docs found at his home: 'Mistakes were made' {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/27/politics/mike-pence-classified-documents/index.html |website=CNN|access-date=February 1, 2023 |language=en |date=January 27, 2023}} On February 10, the FBI searched his home.{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2023 |title=FBI Searching Pence's Indiana Home As Part Of Classified Docs Probe |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mike-pence-indiana-home-fbi-search_n_63e67273e4b07f036b9cb428 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |website=HuffPost|language=en}} In June, the Department of Justice notified Pence that its investigation had ended and that no charges would be brought forward.{{cite news |last1=Polantz |first1=Katelyn|first2=Jeremy|last2=Herb |title=Justice Department will not seek criminal charges in Pence classified document probe {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/02/politics/mike-pence-justice-department-documents/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=June 22, 2023 |language=en |date=June 2, 2023}}

{{main|Mike Pence 2024 presidential campaign}}

File:Mike Pence (53028248576).jpg

Polls of Republicans in 2021 regarding their preferred presidential candidate in 2024 implied that Pence could begin a campaign as a top-tier candidate if former President Trump were to forgo a run.{{cite web|url=https://www.wibc.com/blogs/mock-n-rob/harvard-poll-pence-strongly-favored-over-desantis-for-2024/|title=Harvard Poll: Pence Strongly Favored Over DeSantis For 2024|publisher=WIBC (FM)|last=Baker|first=Brian|date=September 22, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/541918-desantis-pence-tied-in-2024-republican-poll/|title=DeSantis, Pence tied in 2024 Republican poll|work=The Hill|last=Axelrod|first=Tal|date=March 5, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2021}} At the same time, said polling also foretold a precipitous decline in Pence's polling numbers if Trump were to seek the presidency again.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/mike-pence-top-2024-poll-republican-voters-after-cpac-survey-donald-trump|title=Without Trump, Pence shoots to top of 2024 poll of Republican voters|publisher=Washington Examiner|last=Halaschack|first=Zachary|date=March 5, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2021}} In light of this, there was a widespread view among both Republican leaders and grassroots Republicans that "Pence is dead in the early waters of 2024."{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/19/pence-flatlines-2024-499919|title=Pence flatlines as 2024 field takes shape |work=Politico|first=David|last=Siders|date=July 19, 2021|access-date=July 19, 2021}}

In May 2022, The New York Times reported that Pence was considering a presidential run regardless of whether Trump decided to run for a second term.

In 2023, Pence criticized former President Donald Trump, especially regarding the events that took place on January 6, 2021. While speaking at a Gridiron Club Dinner, an event attended by politicians and journalists, Pence said that Trump was wrong to suggest that Pence had a right to overturn the election results. Pence went further, saying that Trump's words not only endangered him, but his family and everyone at the Capitol.{{Cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Zeke |last2=Megerian |first2=Chris |date=March 13, 2023 |title=Pence says Trump 'endangered my family' on Jan. 6|url=https://apnews.com/article/pence-trump-january-6-capitol-riot-carlson-1e38cb44d55737031ca528b4f33aa1fb |access-date=March 13, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}

On June 5, 2023, Pence filed paperwork and officially launched his bid for the presidency.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/pence-trump-president-2024-campaign-19ee44bb97c7c3131631077917056446|title=Former Vice President Pence files paperwork launching 2024 presidential bid in challenge to Trump

|date=June 5, 2023|accessdate=June 5, 2023|author=Jill Colvin|work=Associated Press}} In July, Pence became the first 2024 Republican presidential candidate to visit Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/06/29/pence-ukraine-zelensky/ |url-access=subscription |last=LeVine |first=Marianne |title=Mike Pence makes surprise trip to Ukraine |date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=June 30, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630234029/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/06/29/pence-ukraine-zelensky/ |archive-date=June 30, 2023}}

On October 28, 2023, Pence, who had weak fundraising and poll numbers, withdrew from the race.{{cite web |last=Holmes |first=Kristen |date=October 28, 2023 |title=Pence suspends campaign for president |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/28/politics/pence-suspends-campaign-for-president |access-date=October 28, 2023 |newspaper=CNN}} Much of his campaigning had taken place in Iowa.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/28/pence-suspends-presidential-campaign-00124097|title=Pence suspends presidential campaign|last1=Isenstadt|first1=Alex|last2=Ward|first2=Myah|date=October 28, 2023|accessdate=October 28, 2023|work=Politico}}

On March 15, 2024, Pence announced that he would not endorse Trump, nor would he support Biden in the 2024 presidential election.{{cite news|first1=Patrick|last1=Svitek|first2=Marianne|last2=LeVine|accessdate=March 22, 2024|title=Mike Pence says he will not endorse Donald Trump for president in 2024|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/15/pence-trump-no-endorsement-2024/|newspaper=Washington Post|date=March 15, 2024|issn=0190-8286|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}{{cite web|first1=Christina|last1=Wilkie|accessdate=March 22, 2024|title=Former Vice President Mike Pence will not endorse Trump in 2024|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/15/former-vice-president-mike-pence-will-not-endorse-trump-for-president.html|date=March 15, 2024|website=CNBC}}{{Cite web|title=Trump ran him out of MAGA. But Mike Pence still wants in the GOP.|date=June 7, 2024|access-date=June 23, 2024|website=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/us/politics/donald-trump-mike-pence-campaign-2024.html|first1=Adam|last1=Adam Nagourney}} Pence did not attend the 2024 Republican National Convention.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/us/politics/rnc-bush-quayle-pence-cheney-romney.html|title=Guess Who's Not Coming to Milwaukee? Bush, Quayle, Pence, Cheney or Romney|date=July 16, 2024|website=The New York Times|first1=Adam|last1=Nagourney}} On August 9, 2024, Pence reiterated that he would not endorse Trump, nor would he support Kamala Harris after Biden withdrew from the race.{{Cite web|title=Pence says he's 'staying out of the presidential campaign'|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4820988-mike-pence-donald-trump-kamala-harris-2024-presidential-race/|first1=Brett|last1=Samuels|date=August 9, 2024|website=The Hill}}{{Cite web |last=Leary |first=Alex |title=Pence Refuses to Endorse Trump, Deepening Split Between Former Running Mates |url=https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/pence-wont-endorse-trump-deepening-split-between-former-running-mates-87a77c6c |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}

File:Former Vice President Pence Keynotes 2024 Career Education Convention.jpg

In September 2024, Pence began teaching seminar and lecture courses in political science at Grove City College in Pennsylvania after being named its first Distinguished Fellow for Faith and Public Life. Teaching alongside the college president, Pence may join future classes at the western Pennsylvania college via video conference, depending on his schedule.{{cite news |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/2024/09/06/where-is-mike-pence-now-grove-city-college-instructor/75107763007/ |title=Former Vice President Mike Pence has moved into the classroom at this western Pa. college |date=September 6, 2024 |newspaper=Erie Times-News |first=Jim |last=Martin |access-date=January 11, 2025}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/grove-city-news/mike-pence-teaches-first-class-at-grove-city-college/ |title=Mike Pence teaches first class at Grove City College |date=September 7, 2024 |website=WKBN-TV |first=Erin |last=Yudt |access-date=January 11, 2025}}

On January 16, 2025, speaking in Taipei, Pence urged President-elect Trump to avert a nuclear arms race by continuing to support an independent Taiwan as a key Asian ally.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/pence-taiwan-trump-china-invasion-1e9b81a7a9e0ea6e599eb0a6c5fad9d4 |title=Former Vice President Pence calls on Trump to renew US support for Taiwan |date=January 17, 2015 |website=Associated Press |access-date=January 18, 2025}} On January 20, 2025, Pence attended Trump's second inauguration as a former vice president.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/us/politics/mike-pence-trump-inauguration.html|title=Pence Is Said to Be Planning to Attend Trump's Inauguration|date=January 17, 2025|access-date=January 17, 2025|newspaper=The New York Times|first1=Maggie|last1=Haberman}} On May 4, 2025, Pence received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award at the JFK Library.{{Cite web |last=Wendling |first=Mike |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Trump's former VP Mike Pence receives JFK Courage Award |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62xp3nq5p9o |access-date=May 29, 2025 |website=BBC}}

File:DHS Law Enforcement Personnel Ensures Safety at 2017 Presidential Inauguration (31598505114).jpg with their children and daughter-in-law at the 2017 Presidential Inauguration Parade]]

Pence and his wife, Karen ({{née}} Batten), met while he was in law school at Indiana University. They were married in 1985. Pence's father died in 1988, leaving his mother a widow with four grown children and two teenagers. Mike and Karen Pence have three children: Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey.{{cite news |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/14/who-mike-pence/87081218/ |title=Who Is Mike Pence? |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2017 }}{{cite news |first=Julia |last=Moffitt |url=http://www.wthr.com/story/20585449/pence-family-comes-home-to-indiana |title=Pence family comes home to Indiana |publisher=WTHR |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705045859/http://www.wthr.com/story/20585449/pence-family-comes-home-to-indiana |url-status=dead }} Michael Pence is a pilot in the United States Marine Corps.{{cite news|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/03/20/indiana-gov-pence-attends-sons-commissioning-as-marine-corps-officer/25111745/|title=Indiana Gov. Pence attends son's commissioning as Marine Corps officer|newspaper=Marine Corps Times|date=March 20, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Tomlinson|first=Lucas|title=Navy instructor pilots refusing to fly over safety concerns; Pence's son affected|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/navy-instructor-pilots-refusing-to-fly-over-safety-concerns-pences-son-affected|publisher=Fox News|date=April 4, 2017|access-date=April 4, 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://heavy.com/news/2020/08/mike-pence-son-michael-pence/ |title=Mike Pence's Son, Michael Pence: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |date=October 7, 2020 |work=Heavy |first=Stephanie Dube |last=Dwilson |access-date=October 9, 2021 }} During Pence's service in the House, his family lived in Arlington, Virginia when Congress was in session and in Columbus, Indiana, during recesses. During an interview in 2002, Pence told a reporter that he would not have dinner alone with a woman other than his wife.{{cite journal|journal=Cosmopolitan|title=Mike Pence's Dining 'Standard' Reveals So Much About What He Thinks of Women. The vice president won't eat alone with a woman who's not his wife.|first=Jill|last=Filipovic|date=March 30, 2017|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a9209120/mike-pence-dinner-alone-women/}} On May 1, 2004, Pence's mother remarried – this time to Basil Coolidge Fritsch.{{Cite news|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=45868|title=Mary Jean Fritsch|date=April 8, 2001|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|access-date=September 1, 2018|via=Legacy.com}} In 2018, Pence's oldest brother, Greg, entered and won the political race to represent Indiana's 6th congressional district in Congress (the seat previously held by Mike).{{cite news|last1=Tackett|first1=Michael|title=As Another Pence Runs for Congress, His Business Record Raises Questions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/22/us/politics/pence-brother-congress-business-record.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422145313/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/22/us/politics/pence-brother-congress-business-record.html |archive-date=April 22, 2018 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=April 22, 2018|work=The New York Times|date=April 22, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2400.htm |title=Indiana Election Results |publisher=Indiana Secretary of State |access-date=November 25, 2018 }} Greg and Mike are similar enough in appearance that Greg once successfully acted as a decoy to lure the press away from his brother when Mike Pence was being touted as a potential running mate to Donald Trump.{{cite web |last1=Claeson |first1=Hanna |title=The Truth About Mike Pence's Brother, Greg Pence |url=https://www.thelist.com/239539/the-truth-about-mike-pences-brother-greg-pence/ |website=The List |publisher=Static Media |access-date=June 12, 2022 |date=August 24, 2020 }}{{cite web |last1=LoBianco |first1=Tom |title=How Pence's Camp Persuaded Trump to Pick Their Guy as VP |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/09/11/mike-pence-donald-trump-vp-228059/ |website=PoliticoMagazine |date=September 11, 2019 |access-date=June 12, 2022 }}

In 2016 he was diagnosed with asymptomatic left bundle branch block.{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2021 |title=Former Vice President Mike Pence Has Pacemaker Implanted |url=http://www.dicardiology.com/content/former-vice-president-mike-pence-has-pacemaker-implanted |access-date=December 24, 2021 |website=DAIC |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Thrush |first=Glenn |date=April 15, 2021 |title=Pence, suffering from a sluggish heartbeat, undergoes surgery for a pacemaker implant. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/us/politics/mike-pence-pacemaker-surgery.html |access-date=December 24, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}} In April 2021, Pence underwent surgery for a pacemaker implant due to a slow heartbeat.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/548501-pence-undergoes-surgery-to-receive-pacemaker/|title=Pence undergoes surgery to receive pacemaker |work=The Hill|first=Brett|last=Samuels|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=April 17, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Thrush |first=Glenn |title=Pence, suffering from a sluggish heartbeat, undergoes surgery for a pacemaker implant. |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 15, 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/us/politics/mike-pence-pacemaker-surgery.html |access-date=April 17, 2021 }}

The family's pet rabbit, Marlon Bundo, was the subject of a children's book authored by Pence's daughter, Charlotte.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/15/politics/marlon-bundo-book-mike-pence-rabbit/index.html|title=Vice president's pet rabbit hops into book deal|last=Klein|first=Betsy|work=CNN|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123141310/http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/15/politics/marlon-bundo-book-mike-pence-rabbit/index.html|url-status=dead}}

File:Taylor University Commencement (47893457431).jpg in 2019]]

Pence was raised in a Catholic family, was an altar server, and attended parochial school.{{cite news |first1=Emily McFarlan |last1=Miller |first2=Winston |last2=Kimberly |url=http://religionnews.com/2016/07/14/5-faith-facts-on-mike-pence-a-born-again-evangelical-catholic/ |title=5 faith facts on "Mike Pence: A 'born-again, evangelical Catholic |newspaper=Religion News Service |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2017 |url-access=registration }} [https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/5-faith-facts-mike-pence-born-again-evangelical-catholic Also published] the same date in the National Catholic Reporter.{{cite news |first=Michelle |last=Boorstein |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/07/15/what-it-means-that-mike-pence-called-himself-an-evangelical-catholic/ |title=What it means that Mike Pence called himself an 'evangelical Catholic |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2017 }} He became a born-again Christian in college, while a member of a nondenominational Christian student group, and identified his first year—and specifically "a Christian music festival in Asbury, Kentucky, in the spring of 1978"{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Gryboski |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/5-things-to-know-about-mike-pence-166497/# |title=5 Things to Know About Mike Pence |newspaper=Christian Post |date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2017 }} referring to the Ichthus Music Festival at then Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky—as the moment he made a "commitment to Christ". After that point, Pence continued to attend Mass (where he met his wife) and was a Catholic youth minister. Pence called himself Catholic in a 1994 news piece, although by 1995, he and his family had joined an evangelical megachurch, the Grace Evangelical Church. In 2013, Pence said his family was "kind of looking for a church". In 2016, Pence and his wife regularly worshiped at College Park Church, a nondenominational church in Indianapolis. He has described himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order", and as "a born-again, Evangelical Catholic". As one commentator put it, "Pence doesn't simply wear his faith on his sleeve—he wears the entire Jesus jersey."

In a 2002 statement on the floor of the House of Representatives (reported in the Congressional Record), Pence told his colleagues "...{{spaces}}I also believe that someday scientists will come to see that only the theory of intelligent design provides even a remotely rational explanation for the known universe."{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/crec/2002/07/11/CREC-2002-07-11-pt1-PgH4527.pdf |title=Theory of the Origins of Man |work=Congressional Record |date=July 11, 2002 |access-date=May 19, 2017 }} (statement of Rep. Pence).{{cite web|last=Feld|first=Lowell|title=Mike Pence Denies Evolution Because It's 'Just a Theory'|website=YouTube|date=October 6, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv1v-ziuSFg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/cv1v-ziuSFg |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=December 28, 2016}}{{cbignore}} When asked by Chris Matthews in 2009 if he believed in evolution, Pence said "I believe with all my heart that God created the heavens and the earth, the seas and all that is in them. How he did that, I'll ask him about some day."{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2016/07/15/mike-pence-donald-trump-science/|title=Donald Trump's Running Mate Has Some Truly Strange Views on Modern Science|date=July 15, 2016|website=Fortune|access-date=July 16, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Pence|first=Mike|title=Mike Pence Interview|date=May 5, 2009|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiot7gTiKgE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/oiot7gTiKgE |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|work=Hardball with Chris Matthews|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=July 16, 2016}}{{cbignore}}

• {{Cite book|last=Pence |first=Mike |year=2022 |title=So Help Me God |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-1982190330}}
• {{Cite book|last1=Pence|first1=Mike|last2=Pence Bond|first2=Charlotte|year=2023|title=Go Home for Dinner: Advice on How Faith Makes a Family and Family Makes a Life|location=New York|publisher=Simon & Schuster|isbn=978-1982190361}}

• List of Republicans who opposed the Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign
• Political positions of Mike Pence
• Electoral history of Mike Pence
• Vice presidency of Mike Pence

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha|refs=

}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite magazine |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/01/gods-plan-for-mike-pence/546569/ |title=God's Plan for Mike Pence |first=McKay |last=Coppins |magazine=The Atlantic |publisher=Atlantic Media |location=Washington, D.C. |year=2018}}
• {{cite book |last=LoBianco|first=Tom |year=2019 |title=Piety & Power: Mike Pence and the Taking of the White House |location=New York |publisher=Dey Street Books |isbn=978-0-06-286878-7|ref=none}}

{{sister project links|d=Q24313|c=Category:Mike Pence|s=Author:Michael Richard Pence|v=no|voy=no|b=no|wikt=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|n=Category:Mike Pence}}

• [http://www.in.gov/governorhistory/mikepence/2358.htm Governor Mike Pence] official government website
• {{C-SPAN|85219}}
• [http://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Pence Profile] at Ballotpedia
• [https://www.politifact.com/personalities/mike-pence/statements/by/ Mike Pence's statements] at PolitiFact
• {{YouTube|id=fSzy552TdB4|title="Piety & Power" author gives CBSN an inside look into Mike Pence's rise to the top of politics}}, published September 30, 2019 CBS News

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121031051347/http://topics.indystar.com/Mike_Pence/ Collected news and commentary] at The Indianapolis Star

{{CongLinks |congbio=p000587|fec=H8IN02060}}

• [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mike_Pence Profile] at SourceWatch

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=David M. McIntosh}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 2nd congressional district|years=2001–2003}}

{{s-aft|after=Chris Chocola}}

{{s-bef|before=Dan Burton}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
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{{s-aft|after=Luke Messer}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Republican Study Committee|years=2005–2007}}

{{s-aft|after=Jeb Hensarling|rows=2}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the House Republican Conference|years=2009–2011}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Governor of Indiana|years=2012, 2016 (withdrew)}}

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