Former Vice President Mike Pence offered a sharp critique of President Trump’s foreign policy tactics on Sunday, putting himself at odds with the administration’s handling of European allies while simultaneously endorsing some of the President’s most ambitious geopolitical goals.
In an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s State of the Union, Pence navigated a delicate path. He offered full-throated support for the strategic acquisition of Greenland but slammed the White House’s use of tariffs and intimidation against NATO members to achieve it.
“It’s a question right now, Jake, not of what the president’s trying to accomplish, but how,” Pence said.
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The former Vice President expressed deep reservations about Trump’s recent threats to impose unilateral tariffs on NATO allies, specifically Denmark, calling the strategy a use of “questionable constitutional authority.” While Pence argued that the United States has a legitimate national security interest in controlling Greenland—citing increasing Arctic encroachment by China and Russia—he warned that bullying long-standing partners could fracture the Western alliance.
“Denmark is a very strong ally of the United States of America,” Pence noted, reminding viewers that Denmark suffered significant casualties while fighting alongside U.S. forces after invoking Article 5 following the 9/11 attacks.
The tension highlights a growing rift within the Republican party regarding the “how” of foreign policy. While European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have warned of a “dangerous downward spiral” in relations, Pence suggested a softer approach. He advocated for using U.S. investment and existing military treaties to lay the groundwork for eventually acquiring the territory, rather than economic threats.
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Beyond the Arctic, Pence also signaled a divergence from the current administration regarding Venezuela. While praising the recent military operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from power, Pence voiced concern over the President’s apparent support for Delcy Rodríguez, the current acting president.
“Delcy Rodríguez is not the right leader for Venezuela going forward,” Pence stated, calling for a swift transition to free and fair elections. He warned against voices surrounding the President that promote a “new isolationism,” urging the administration to ensure a democratic future for the South American nation rather than settling for a rebranded regime.
On Iran, however, the former Vice President was more aligned with the White House. He applauded the administration’s aggressive stance and willingness to strike nuclear facilities, contrasting it with what he described as the silence of the Obama administration during the 2009 Green Revolution. Pence argued that a “credible threat of the use of force” remains the most effective tool to support regime change in Tehran.
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The interview underscored Pence’s current role as a supportive but critical voice from the outside—championing the “America First” objectives he helped shape, while sounding the alarm on the combative methods being used to secure them.
“I really want to support the president’s objective here,” Pence said of the Greenland initiative. “But I’d rather see us making investments.”
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