Former Vice President Mike Pence is positioning himself as a key player in the Republican Party, willing to challenge the Trump administration on various policy issues. Despite having a complicated history with President Donald Trump, Pence has stated that his efforts are not personal, but rather driven by a commitment to conservative principles and limited government. His political advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom, has spent nearly $1 million on ads opposing Trump's pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., due to Kennedy's past comments supporting abortion rights. Pence has also been delivering speeches urging Trump to stand with long-standing foreign allies and lobbying members of Congress on issues such as increasing military spending and making permanent the 2017 tax cuts.

Pence's efforts have been met with quiet encouragement from some Republicans, who appreciate his willingness to speak out on key issues. However, others have been more reluctant to challenge the Trump administration, fearing backlash from the president's loyal base. Pence has stated that he does not speculate on motives, but rather focuses on promoting conservative principles and holding the administration accountable. He has also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong national defense, supporting traditional values, and promoting fiscal responsibility. The former vice president believes that these principles are essential to the Republican Party and that they have not changed, despite the rise of populist thinking within the party.

One of the key issues that Pence has been focusing on is the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary, whom he accuses of being pro-union. He has also been pushing for the administration to stop implementing tariffs on allies and to increase military spending. Pence's group plans to spend the coming months advocating for these issues, as well as trying to convince Trump to support longtime conservative principles. The former vice president has stated that he is willing to praise the administration when they agree with him, but will also raise concerns when they do not. This approach has been characterized as "calling balls and strikes," with Pence seeking to promote conservative principles while also maintaining a constructive relationship with the administration.

Some of the key policy points that Pence is advocating for include: * Increasing military spending to ensure a strong national defense * Making permanent the 2017 tax cuts to promote economic growth * Stopping the implementation of tariffs on allies to promote free trade * Opposing the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor Secretary due to her pro-union stance * Promoting traditional values and supporting the right to life Pence believes that these principles are essential to the Republican Party and that they have not changed, despite the rise of populist thinking within the party. He has also stated that he is willing to work with the administration to promote these principles, while also being willing to challenge them when necessary.

The former vice president's efforts have been seen as a significant development in the Republican Party, with some viewing him as a potential leader in the party's future. Pence's commitment to conservative principles and limited government has been praised by some, while others have criticized his willingness to challenge the Trump administration. However, Pence remains undeterred, stating that his goal is to promote conservative principles and support the administration when they align with those principles. He believes that this approach is essential to ensuring the long-term success of the Republican Party and the country as a whole. The future of the party will depend on its ability to balance populist thinking with traditional conservative principles, and Pence is likely to play a key role in this process. The relationship between Pence and Trump will also be closely watched, as the two men navigate their complicated history and work to promote their shared goals. Ultimately, the success of Pence's efforts will depend on his ability to build a coalition of supporters within the party and to promote his vision for the country's future.