For former Vice President Mike Pence, “So Help Me God” is more applicable than ever — not just the title of his book or the ending of the oath of office he took as vice president. His campaign is cash-strapped and in a crisis, but a greater mission is emerging.
Since Pence announced his presidential intentions on June 7, only 5 percent of Republican voters have supported his candidacy. More embarrassing, by July 31, Pence had not qualified for the August 23 GOP debate. His campaign was sinking — until last week, when his old boss unintentionally pushed a flimsy life raft out to him. He has since qualified for the debate by riding the waves of media attention.
Meanwhile, the nation is collectively donning life preservers for stormy seas after former President Donald Trump was indicted on four felony counts for his alleged efforts to remain in power after losing reelection.
But many Americans believe the hero of that saga was then-Vice President Pence. This was confirmed by the narrative in Trump’s Aug. 1 indictment. Previously and widely reported, while “under fire” during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Pence showed Medal-of-Honor-like courage. He ignored Secret Service orders to leave the Capitol as gallows were erected on the grounds, with chants of “hang Mike Pence.” When Congress reconvened, Pence ultimately performed his constitutionally-mandated duty to certify the states’ Electoral College votes.
The official National Archives record reads: “Due to violent unrest in and around the Capitol, the electoral results were not certified until 3:44 a.m., the morning of January 7, 2021.” Joseph Biden had officially won the presidential election, and Pence certified himself out of his own job.
The new Trump indictment has certifiably awakened Mike Pence. It took him only two and a half years to frequently and boldly express his campaign mantra: “On January 6, Former President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. I chose the Constitution, and I always will.” He added the zinger: “Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”
Compare candidate Pence’s carefully worded outrage to his June 7, 2023, presidential announcement video, where He neither acknowledged his former boss nor mentioned Trump’s attempt to overturn the election. Rather, he vainly appealed to Trump-supportive primary voters, who already loathed him. Similarly, on Jan. 6, 2022, Pence ignored the anniversary of the Capitol riot on his Advancing American Freedom website.
Pence blew up his own political career by adhering to the law when our democracy was under siege. Now, Pence faces a second crisis, whereby the rule of law is on trial in a showdown against his former boss.
And again, as on Jan. 6, Trump is attempting to bully Pence into submission. This time, he hopes his former vice president won’t testify against him. To that end, on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “WOW, it’s finally happened! Liddle’ Mike Pence, a man who was about to be ousted as Governor Indiana until I came along and made him V.P., has gone to the Dark Side.”
Then Trump added, “He’s delusional, and now he wants to show he’s a tough guy.”
While campaigning, Pence was likely praying, “So help me God,” as he faced hecklers in New Hampshire who accused him of being a “traitor.” As The Hill reported, a protester shouted, “Why didn’t you uphold the Constitution?” That question should prompt rational Americans to ask what planet these MAGA voters live on, and more critically, will Pence testify against Trump?
For now, Pence’s answer is wobbly. Recently on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” he said, “I have no plans to testify, but people can be confident we’ll obey the law.” Continuing, “We’ll respond to the call of the law if it comes, and we’ll just tell the truth.”
Is that the same “truth” Pence resisted telling before the Jan. 6 House Committee last November and again in April when subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith? Fortunately, Pence’s efforts to avoid testifying were overruled, because his truthful testimony was vital to Trump’s indictment, in which we read that Trump accused Pence of being “too honest.” Immediately, that new branding slogan appeared on Pence’s campaign merchandise.
“Too honest” is Pence’s badge of honor, the life raft that got him into this month’s debate. But before Trump tries to torpedo him, Pence should swim ashore by withdrawing from the primary after that first debate.
Pence will not likely qualify for the second debate, given its more stringent polling and donor criteria. And once he is out, Pence can stop holding his tongue and speak freely across all media platforms, balancing Trump’s lies as a media equal.
Imagine the ratings — a former president vs. his own former vice president. Our nation needs Pence, not as a presidential candidate, but as a voice of truth and reason.
Pence said that “anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States,” and he should act upon that conviction. With all his faith, power and energy, Pence could contest Trump — in court, in the media, during the primary and general election campaigns. Pence’s credibility and honesty counters all the misinformation spewed by Trump and his acolytes.
In withdrawing from the primaries, Pence could become a two-time American hero, preventing Trump from winning the GOP nomination and the presidency. Furthermore, Pence could speak against Trump’s radical plans to expand presidential power and adopt an “erratic” foreign policy.
Mike Pence is uniquely positioned “for such a time as this.” So help him, God.
Myra Adams writes about politics and religion for numerous publications. She served on the creative team of two Republican presidential campaigns, in 2004 and 2008.