According to Mediate, fhe exchange between Fox News’ Harris Faulkner and former Vice President Mike Pence centered on former President Donald Trump’s approach to America’s role on the global stage. The confrontation was triggered by a video clip in which Trump discussed various countries’ interests, including Ukraine and China. Pence had expressed concerns about what he perceived as a shift in America’s role as the leader of the free world under Trump, leading to a spirited debate.
Faulkner challenged Pence’s assertion, asking why he believed Trump was deviating from this role, given that Trump’s tenure had seen no Russian invasions of neighboring countries. Pence acknowledged this fact but emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong posture and commitment to peace through strength. Faulkner appeared to be seeking clarification and expressed her desire to understand the rationale behind any perceived shift in foreign policy.
Pence’s position seemed to be that he believed America needed a leader who could assertively uphold its role as the leader of the free world, particularly in the face of potential conflicts like the situation with Ukraine and the ongoing NATO alliance. Faulkner, on the other hand, seemed to be advocating for continuity with Trump’s approach, highlighting the absence of Russian invasions during his presidency.
The exchange underscores the ongoing debate within the Republican Party about the direction of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to American leadership on the global stage. It also reflects the nuances and differences in perspective among party members regarding how best to navigate international relations and conflicts.
“These people want China first, they want other countries first. Ukraine first. They want all this stuff. We give, every time somebody comes over from Ukraine, they walk out with $25 billion. We want to help Ukraine but, you know, Europe right now is up to $25 billion and we’re up to $200 billion.”
Pence began, “What I hear in the president’s voice there, and I hear in some of his imitators in the race, is backing away from America’s role as leader of the free world. Look —”
“Why do you say that?” a surprised Faulkner interjected. “Because that’s not his words! You say you hear it in his voice —”
==Our national interest in Ukraine, is that I’m absolutely convinced if Putin rolls over Ukraine, the day will come in the near future when he crosses the border of a NATO ally where our men and women in uniform are going to have to go and fight them under the NATO treaty. That’s our interest there. Not what [Joe] Biden has said about all the gauzy speeches about democracy in the world. We need a commander-in-chief that can lead the American people to be the leader of the free world. I will do that if I’m president of the United States.
“Former President Trump was the only president in the current century that was in charge of our United States, and Russia did not invade one of its neighbors,” Faulkner said and Pence agreed. “So, I don’t know why you would want to deviate from what he did. I’m honestly trying to understand,” she said.
“I’m not the one deviating. I believe in peace through strength,” Pence said.
“Yeah, I still — I’m not hearing those words from anybody saying we want to walk away.”
