Former Vice President Mike Pence was the first announced or potential 2024 presidential candidate to address the crowd at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition Spring Supper. Pence said men and women of faith are needed in Iowa now more than ever to embrace their responsibility and shape the leadership of the Republican Party.
Pence said the Trump Administration turned the country around. And it did so with the support of the people of Iowa.
“Most important of all, we appointed three justices to the Supreme Court of the United States that sent Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history where it belongs,” Pence said.
But now, times have changed.
“An administration that was built on faith and freedom and liberty and life has been replaced by an administration that has literally weakened America at home and abroad,” Pence said.
He challenged those in attendance to do their part in selecting the next leader of the Republican Party. He urged them to pray for America.
“Let’s work and let’s pray and let’s win back America, Iowa,” he said.
During the Q&A session with Iowa AG Brenna Bird and RPI Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, Pence shared the story of when he became a Christian. He noted challenges in his life — such as his father dying and losing some political campaigns — but said God’s grace has seen him through everything thus far and it will see America “all the way back.”
Pence was asked about religious liberty and what leaders need to do now.
“Vote Republican,” Pence said.
Then he discussed the “radical gender ideology,” naming the Linn-Mar School District and explaining how that district will allow students to obtain a gender transition plan from the school without parental permission.
“This is at the same school where you need a written permission slip to get an aspirin,” he said. “That’s not bad policy, that’s crazy.”
Other students can be penalized if they do not use the preferred pronoun of someone else.
“You could literally say that you believe in your heart of hearts, male and female He created them, and you could be penalized for doing so,” Pence said. “The battle against radical gender ideology is the battle for religious freedom. And it’s a battle we must fight.”
He doubled down on his support for sending American money to Ukraine.
“I believe America is the leader of the free world,” Pence said. “And we are the arsenal of democracy.”
Pence quoted President Ronald Reagan, who said any country willing to fight the Communists in their country, will get the means to fight them there so we do not have to fight them here.
“I believe today it is absolutely essential that America be the leader of the free world,” he said. “And that the American people provide the courageous military of Ukraine with the resources they need to repel the Russian invasion and restore their sovereignty. I believe it’s in our interest. And it’s in the interest of freedom.”
Putin will stop at Ukraine, Pence said, if he overtakes the country.
“The way that America and the West respond to Russian aggression is also going to inform the Communist Chinese,” he said. “They’re watching. And I truly do believe that the way that we can achieve peace in Europe and in the wider world is by demonstrating American strength. And anyone who tells you that we can’t be the leader of the free world and secure our border and revive our economy here at home has a small view of the greatest nation on earth.”
