Mike Pence

Michael Pence is the 48th vice president of the United States and former governor of the state of Indiana. Mike Pence was born in 1959 in Columbus, Indiana to an Irish-Catholic family. He has a B.A in history from Hanover University and a law degree from the University of Indiana. Pence strongly identifies as a Christian, and many of his policies as lawmaker have been influenced by his beliefs. Before entering politics, Pence worked as a lawyer for two years and as a host on radio and television, where he became a well known public figure in his home state. Pence has been married to Karen Pence since 1985. The couple has three children. Political Career In 1988 and 1990 Pence held two failed campaigns for the US House of Representatives. In 2000 he ran again and succeeded, taking office in 2001. He served as a Republican in Congress for six terms, and pushed for various conservative policy changes. In 2012 Pence ran for governor of Indiana. His campaign focused on economic issues such as tax cuts and job growth. After a narrow win, he took office in 2013. In 2015 Pence garnered national attention when he signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The law, intended to allow individuals the freedom to practice their religious beliefs, was claimed by opponents to enable discrimination against the LGBT community by giving religious leaders the right to refuse to marry same-sex couples. As a result, Pence signed an amendment to the law prohibiting the denial of service on the basis of sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability. In 2016 Pence was again put in the national spotlight after signing a bill that prohibits abortions in cases where the fetus has a disability. In July, 2016 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump selected Pence as his running mate for that year’s elections. Pence would provide Trump with political experience, which the presidential candidate lacked, and mainstream Republican support. After narrowly beating Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, Pence took office along with President Trump in January 2017. On Israel and the Middle East Pence is a staunch Israel supporter. In 2010, along with some 300 other US congress members, he signed a declaration reaffirming their commitment to the “unbreakable bond between the US and the State of Israel.” Pence supported the initial US invasion of Iraq. In January 2018, weeks after Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Pence visited the region, including Jerusalem and the Western Wall. While he fostered good relations with Israel and Christian minorities in the region, he and King Abdullah of Jordan “agreed to disagree”, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas refused to meet with him. Pence also visited Afghanistan in December 2017 order to demonstrate the United State’s commitment to the region’s stability. Other Political Stances As a Christian conservative, Pence is strongly opposed to abortion and has been taking steps to defund Planned Parenthood since 2007. He has been part of efforts to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana. On immigration, Pence supports building a border wall with Mexico and other security measures. In 2010, he voted against the DREAM act, which would grant children of undocumented immigrants in the US lawful permanent resident status if they met certain conditions.

From Green Prince to Mike Pence: Recapping the Jerusalem Post Conference

The Jerusalem Post Podcast with Tamar Uriel-Beeri and Zvika Klein.

JUNE 7, 2024|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Museb Hassan Yousef, also known as the Green Prince, seen at the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York on June 3, 2024

David Friedman, Mike Pence and Zvika Klein at the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference 2024.

Former US Ambassador to Israel authors response to two-state proposal

David Friedman to release book entitled “One Jewish State”

JUNE 6, 2024|ByALAN ROSENBAUM

Former US vice president Mike Pence seen during the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference in New York, June 3, 2024

Editor's Notes: Why Pence’s prayer at the Post-conference was so important

Mike Pence emphasized the strong bond between the American and Israeli people, a bond rooted in shared values and historical ties.

JUNE 6, 2024|ByZVIKA KLEIN

WATCH: Former VP Pence prays for IDF 'fighting this just war' at 'Post' Annual Conference

“Mighty God, we come before you today with hearts that are heavy for the families that have suffered loss and those that still await word of their loved ones held hostage," Pence prayed

JUNE 6, 2024|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

American Jews should vote with Trump's Israel record in mind - Mike Pence

Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Joe Biden's stance on Israel at the Jerusalem Post Conference, emphasizing unwavering support for Israel.

JUNE 4, 2024

ByHANNAH SARISOHN

Pence to 'Post': The US must give Israel full support until Hamas is destroyed

Pence has maintained a strong relationship with Israel both during his tenure as vice president and afterward.

MAY 30, 2024

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

FORMER US vice president Mike Pence speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition Spring Kick-off, in West Des Moines, in April.

Former US VP Mike Pence to attend Jerusalem Post Annual Conference

The conference will be live-streamed on The Jerusalem Post's website and social media channels, enabling a global audience to participate in these critical conversations.

MAY 29, 2024

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Pence meeting with reserve soldiers, January 5 2024.

Trump files US Supreme Court brief arguing for immunity from prosecution

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday filed a US Supreme Court brief in his bid for immunity from prosecution for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss.

MARCH 19, 2024

ByREUTERS

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the Georgia Republican Party convention in Columbus, Georgia, US June 10, 2023.

Pence says he will not endorse former boss Trump in 2024 US election

Pence served Trump loyally but publicly broke with the former Republican president over his role in the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

MARCH 15, 2024

ByREUTERS

Former US VP Mike Pence to Israel: 'The American people are with you'

Pence: "It's so important that the US makes it clear that we are with Israel today, we will be with Israel tomorrow and we will be with Israel every day until the threat of Hamas is eliminated."

JANUARY 6, 2024

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Former US Vice President Mike Pence visits the IDF’s Northern Command. January 6, 2023.

Israel-Hamas war: What happened on day 92?

Mike Pence visits IDF northern command • Hostile aircraft alerts sound across northern Israel

JANUARY 6, 2024

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip, January 1, 2024

Former US vice president Mike Pence to arrive in Israel on Thursday

His visit follows a recent solidarity trip by former US Governor Mike Huckabee, who was in the country in December.

DECEMBER 31, 2023

ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

Donald Trump's supporters trust him more than family, friends

61% of respondents said they were confident that Trump would beat Biden in the next election, while only 35% had the same confidence in DeSantis.

AUGUST 21, 2023

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks on as he holds a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, US, July 29, 2023.

Pence may testify against former president Donald Trump

Pence's potential testimony and his notes could become key parts of the prosecution case against Trump at trial.

AUGUST 6, 2023

ByREUTERS

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci listens with Vice President Mike Pence as U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus briefing at the White House in Washington, US, March 17, 2020

Pence and a Christmas call star in Trump indictment

Trump, working with six co-conspirators, pushed Pence to refuse to certify the results based on his accusations of voter fraud on multiple occasions, the indictment alleges.

AUGUST 2, 2023

ByREUTERS