Former Pence adviser backs Trump in 2024 election

The onetime national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence is backing former president Donald Trump in the 2024 election, saying Pence is “unworthy of the presidency.”

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg announced in a Truth Social post Monday night that the former Indiana governor lacks the “decisive leadership” of his former running mate, which is “what Republican voters want.”

“President Donald J. Trump stands apart as a figure of unwavering determination, a deep vision for America, and the courage to take a stand where others wilt,” Kellogg said.

“While President Trump has consistently put America first, prioritizing our citizens, our economy, and global standing, Pence’s actions have often seemed more focused on political maneuvering and maintaining his image,” he added.

Kellogg also expressed “disappointment” in Pence for “his recent actions regarding President Trump,” apparently referring to the 64-year-old’s criticism of Trump’s attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

“Where President Trump is bold and unafraid to challenge the status quo, Pence has often chosen the passive route, avoiding confrontation,” he said. “This lack of assertiveness, combined with an overreliance on failed political consultants like Marc Short, has demonstrated a laisse-faire [sic] leadership style unworthy of the presidency.”

Trump, 77, pleaded not guilty on Aug. 3 to four felony counts of conspiring to obstruct the electoral process and pressuring Pence to decertify Joe Biden’s victory, which culminated in a mob storming the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.

“Today’s indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States,” Pence said in a statement the day of Trump’s arraignment.

On Monday, Pence became the latest Republican presidential candidate to qualify for the first primary debate Aug. 23 in Milwaukee after receiving contributions from at least 40,000 individual donors.

He also met the Republican National Committee’s polling threshold, which requires candidates to register at least 1% support in three national polls to make the debate stage.

Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum have already qualified for the debate.

Ahead of the debate, Trump is the clear frontrunner with 53.7% support in national GOP primary polls, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.

He is followed by DeSantis (15.7%), Ramaswamy (6%), Pence (5.1%), Haley (3.6%), Scott (2.9%), Christie (2.3%) and Burgum (0.5%).

It remains unclear if the former president will debate in August after his longtime adviser Jason Miller said last month he would likely skip the event.