Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Mike Pence

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Mike Pence.

Michael Richard Pence served as the 48th Vice President of the United States under Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021. A Republican, his political career includes serving as the 50th Governor of Indiana (2013-2017) and as a U.S. Representative for Indiana (2001-2013). As Vice President, he notably presided over the Senate during the certification of the 2020 presidential election, ultimately affirming Joe Biden's victory despite pressure to overturn the results. His tenure reflects a blend of conservative principles and loyalty to the Trump administration, though marked by moments of tension, particularly surrounding the 2020 election aftermath.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1990: Ran Controversial Television Advertisement

During the 1990 campaign, Mike Pence's campaign aired a television advertisement featuring an actor dressed in a robe and headdress with a Middle Eastern accent, which drew criticism.

2002: Statement on Intelligent Design

In 2002, Pence stated on the House of Representatives floor that he believes scientists will see intelligent design as a rational explanation for the universe.

2002: Statement on Dinner Alone with Women

In 2002, during an interview, Pence stated he would not have dinner alone with a woman other than his wife.

2009: Belief in God's Creation

In 2009, when asked about evolution, Pence stated he believes God created the heavens and the earth.

June 2013: Criticism for Deleting Facebook Comments

In June 2013, Mike Pence was criticized for deleting comments posted on his official government Facebook page and subsequently apologized for it.

January 26, 2015: Plans for State-Run News Service

On January 26, 2015, reports surfaced that Mike Pence planned to launch "JustIN", a state-run, taxpayer-funded news service for Indiana, overseen by a former reporter for The Indianapolis Star.

March 26, 2015: Signing of Indiana Senate Bill 101 (RFRA)

On March 26, 2015, Mike Pence signed Indiana Senate Bill 101, also known as the Indiana "religious objections" bill or Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), into law. The move was praised by religious conservatives, but criticized by people and groups who felt the law would permit discrimination against LGBT persons.

March 31, 2015: Defense of RFRA in Wall Street Journal op-ed

On March 31, 2015, Mike Pence defended the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, asserting that the law does not permit discrimination and that he would veto any bill that legalized discrimination.

April 2, 2015: Revision of RFRA Legislation

In the wake of the backlash against the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), on April 2, 2015, Mike Pence signed legislation revising the law to protect against potential discrimination.

December 2015: Statement on Muslim Ban

In December 2015, Mike Pence stated that "calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional".

February 2016: Federal Judge Ruling on Refugee Resettlement

In February 2016, a federal judge ruled that Mike Pence's order to cut off federal funds for a local non-profit refugee resettlement agency was unconstitutional.

August 2016: Millions in Incentives Paid to Companies Sending Jobs Abroad

By August 2016, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation led by Mike Pence had paid out $8.7 million of $24 million approved in incentives to ten companies who sent jobs abroad.

October 7, 2016: Response to Trump's Lewd Comments

On October 7, 2016, Mike Pence stated he did not condone Donald Trump's lewd comments that surfaced that day, but made clear that he was standing by Trump.

2016: Compromised AOL Account

In 2016, hackers compromised Mike Pence's personal AOL email account and used it to send fraudulent emails in an attempt to obtain money from Pence's contacts.

March 2017: Release of Pence's Emails

In March 2017, the State of Indiana released 29 of Mike Pence's 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.

October 8, 2017: Pence walks out of NFL game after players kneel during national anthem

On October 8, 2017, Mike Pence walked out of a game between the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers after 49ers players knelt during the national anthem. Pence stated he would not dignify events disrespecting soldiers, the Flag, or the national anthem. The action was criticized as a publicity stunt, with estimates suggesting it cost taxpayers $242,500 for his travel on Air Force Two. 49ers safety Eric Reid questioned Pence's regularity in attending Colts games, overshadowing a day meant to honor Peyton Manning. The following year, Pence reacted positively to the NFL's new policy requiring players to stand during the anthem.

April 2018: Abortion bill ruled unconstitutional

In April 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled the abortion bill H.B. 1337 unconstitutional.

October 2018: Pence delivers speech on China at Hudson Institute

In October 2018, Mike Pence delivered a speech at the Hudson Institute, accusing China of predatory economic practices, military aggression, meddling in U.S. elections, building a surveillance state, and engaging in debt-trap diplomacy. He also commented on Taiwan's embrace of democracy, and the New York Times described the speech as a declaration of a new Cold War.

September 1, 2019: Pence meets with Zelensky in Poland

On September 1, 2019, Mike Pence met with Volodymyr Zelensky in Poland during a delay in U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Pence stated he did not mention Joe Biden but raised issues regarding Ukrainian corruption.

September 2019: Pence stays at Trump's resort during meetings in Ireland

In September 2019, Mike Pence attended official meetings with the Irish prime minister in Dublin, Ireland, but stayed at President Trump's resort in Doonbeg, 180 miles away. The costs for the limousine service alone totaled $599,000.

January 2020: Pence defends Trump's decision to assassinate Qasem Soleimani

In January 2020, Mike Pence defended Trump's decision to assassinate Qasem Soleimani, promoting conspiracy theories linking al-Qaeda attacks to Iran. He insisted Soleimani assisted in the clandestine travel of terrorists involved in the September 11 attacks, claims which were widely disputed.

April 2020: Pence exempts himself from mask policy at Mayo Clinic

In April 2020, Mike Pence exempted himself from the Mayo Clinic's policy of wearing a face mask during a visit. He defended his action by saying he needed to look staff "in the eye". The next day, opponents criticized him, and later, Pence acknowledged he should have worn a mask.

June 2020: Pence gives optimistic press briefing on coronavirus pandemic

In late June 2020, Mike Pence gave an optimistic press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic, making several misleading and false claims about the state of the pandemic. Pence misleadingly argued that surges in cases were the result of increased testing. He also falsely claimed that coronavirus fatalities were declining and that all 50 states were opening up.

November 7, 2020: Biden and Harris declared election winners

On November 7, 2020, major news networks declared Biden and Harris the winners of the election after several days of vote counting. Despite this, Trump refused to concede, alleging election fraud.

December 2020: Lawsuit filed against Pence to overturn election

In late December 2020, Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert and others filed a federal lawsuit against Pence, seeking to grant him the power to reject state-certified presidential electors. The lawsuit, aimed at overturning Biden's victory, was dismissed by the courts due to lack of standing.

2020: Pence makes misleading remarks about law enforcement during Republican convention

During the 2020 Republican convention, Mike Pence stated that a federal security officer was killed during riots in Oakland, implying he was killed by rioters, when in fact, he was killed by a man linked to the far-right Boogaloo movement.

2020: Trump rally precedes Capitol storming

On January 6, 2021, during the joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 election results, Trump held a rally where he urged listeners to go to the Capitol and expressed hope that Pence would "do the right thing". Many listeners subsequently marched to and stormed the Capitol.

2020: Pence distances himself from Trump's election claims

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.

January 6, 2021: Oversaw Certification of Election Results

On January 6, 2021, despite pressure from President Trump, Mike Pence oversaw the certification of the 2020 election results, confirming Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the winners.

January 2021: Trump pressures Pence to overturn election

In January 2021, Trump pressured Pence to overturn the election results during the January 6 joint session of Congress. Pence refused, stating the Constitution did not grant him such power. Trump insisted Pence had the power to act. Trump reportedly 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."

2021: Pence releases statement on parental rights

On February 9, 2023, the same day it was reported that Pence had been subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith, 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.

October 2022: Pence condemns populism and 'Putin apologists'

In October 2022, Pence condemned "unprincipled populism" and "Putin apologists" within the Republican Party.

2022: Pence endorses candidates against Trump's picks in primaries

In 2022, Pence separated himself from Trump by endorsing candidates in several Republican primary elections in opposition to the candidate endorsed by Trump, including gubernatorial races in Georgia, Arizona and Wisconsin. Pence endorsed incumbent governor Brian Kemp over the Trump-backed candidate, former senator David Perdue. 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.

January 2023: Classified documents found at Pence's home

In January 2023, following the discovery of classified documents at President Biden's home, Pence asked his lawyer to search his home, leading to the discovery of classified documents. The documents were turned over to the FBI, and Pence cooperated with the review.

February 9, 2023: Pence subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith

On February 9, 2023, Pence was subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith regarding the attack on the Capitol, following months of negotiation between Pence's attorneys and the special counsel.

April 27, 2023: Pence testifies before grand jury

On April 27, 2023, Pence testified before the grand jury saying, "We'll obey the law, we'll tell the truth," after unsuccessful challenges to the subpoena by Pence's lawyers and by Trump himself.

2023: Pence criticizes Trump over January 6 events

In 2023, Pence criticized former President Donald Trump regarding the events of January 6, 2021, stating that Trump was wrong to suggest Pence had the right to overturn the election results and that Trump's words endangered him, his family, and everyone at the Capitol.

March 15, 2024: Pence refuses to endorse Trump or Biden

On March 15, 2024, Pence announced he would not endorse Trump or Biden in the 2024 presidential election and did not attend the 2024 Republican National Convention.

August 9, 2024: Pence reiterates refusal to endorse Trump or Harris

On August 9, 2024, Pence reiterated that he would not endorse Trump, nor would he support Kamala Harris after Biden withdrew from the race.

2024: Pence condemns GOP stance on abortion

In 2024, ahead of the RNC, Pence released a statement condemning the new GOP stance on abortion, describing this shift as a "profound disappointment", arguing that it strips away "historic pro-life principles that have long been the cornerstone of the platform".