Former Vice President Mike Pence has once again positioned himself at odds with Donald Trump, this time taking aim at comments the president made while abroad. Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Pence criticized Trump’s remarks during his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, framing them as disrespectful to U.S. veterans who served in the Middle East.
The sharp rebuke highlights not only the continuing divide between the two former running mates but also the broader rift within the Republican Party over America’s role on the world stage.
Trump’s Remarks in Riyadh
During a speech in Riyadh, Trump condemned decades of U.S. interventions in the Middle East, saying Western “nation-builders” had done more harm than good. Speaking to a gathering of Saudi officials and business leaders, he credited local populations—not outside powers—for the growth of modern cities such as Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
“In the end, the so-called ‘nation-builders’ wrecked far more nations than they built,” Trump declared. “The interventionists were meddling in societies they never truly understood. These nations have thrived because of their people, not because foreign armies tried to reshape them.”
The president’s comments echoed long-standing themes of his political platform, which has centered on avoiding “endless wars,” prioritizing U.S. domestic interests, and pursuing diplomacy over military entanglements abroad. His campaign in both 2016 and 2024 was defined by promises to disengage from costly foreign conflicts and focus on border security and economic renewal at home.
Pence Pushes Back
Pence, who has frequently distanced himself from Trump since leaving office, praised parts of the president’s trip but condemned the tone and timing of the remarks.
“I’ve never been a fan of American presidents criticizing America on foreign soil,” Pence told moderator Kristen Welker. “To have the president in Saudi Arabia questioning America’s global war on terror and describing it as nothing more than nation-building—I thought that was a disservice to generations of Americans who wore the uniform.”
Pence added that the context made the comments particularly troubling. “Giving that speech in Saudi Arabia, where 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers came from, not to mention Osama bin Laden himself, was unfortunate and unnecessary,” he said.
While careful not to dismiss the overall success of the trip, Pence’s remarks underscored his broader argument that Trump’s foreign policy worldview undermines America’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
A Broader Trip Through the Gulf
Trump’s Saudi stop was part of a multi-day visit to the Gulf region that also included Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Noticeably absent from his itinerary, however, was a stop in Israel—a decision noted by Welker and questioned by some commentators.
The trip focused largely on economic ties, energy discussions, and regional security. Trump touted U.S. partnerships with Gulf nations and emphasized the importance of respecting local governance rather than imposing Western values.
The president also pointed to his ongoing efforts to recalibrate America’s global presence, saying his administration seeks “fair partnerships, not one-sided arrangements that drain the American taxpayer while destabilizing regions we don’t fully understand.”
A Long-Running Divide
The exchange is only the latest example of Pence breaking publicly with Trump. Since leaving office in 2025, Pence has carved out a niche as a defender of more traditional Republican foreign policy, often aligning with hawkish lawmakers who still argue for a robust U.S. role in global affairs.
Trump, by contrast, has leaned further into a non-interventionist philosophy, frequently criticizing the Iraq War, Afghanistan, and other military engagements as costly mistakes. His base has embraced that message, seeing it as a rejection of what Trump calls the “Washington foreign policy establishment.”
This divergence has left Pence in a precarious political position. While he appeals to Republicans nostalgic for the Bush-era approach to international affairs, he risks alienating Trump’s loyal supporters who overwhelmingly favor the president’s “America First” stance.
The Veterans Debate
Central to Pence’s critique is the question of how to honor veterans who served in conflicts that are now widely regarded as missteps. For Pence, defending the legitimacy of those missions is part of safeguarding their legacy.
“Generations of Americans put their lives on the line in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Pence said. “We owe it to them to recognize that their service was part of a larger effort to defend freedom and protect our homeland.”
Trump, however, argues that the best way to honor veterans is by preventing future wars fought under questionable pretenses. His supporters insist that acknowledging policy failures does not diminish the sacrifices of those who served but instead helps ensure their sacrifices are not repeated in vain.
Political Implications
The back-and-forth carries political weight as the 2028 election cycle slowly comes into view. While Trump remains the undisputed leader of the Republican Party, Pence continues to position himself as an alternative voice within the GOP—a role that has yet to yield him significant traction.
Critics argue that Pence’s strategy of steady criticism risks leaving him isolated. By opposing Trump’s messaging, he appeals to only a small sliver of Republican voters, many of whom have already migrated toward other figures who share a similar worldview but carry more influence.
Still, Pence shows no signs of backing down. His latest comments fit a pattern of carefully timed critiques, each one reinforcing his belief in a strong, intervention-ready America while simultaneously distinguishing him from his former boss.
Conclusion
Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia reignited a familiar debate over the U.S. role in foreign conflicts. His denunciation of nation-building reflects the enduring appeal of his “America First” platform, while Pence’s sharp response underscores the tension between traditional Republican hawks and the party’s newer, non-interventionist majority.
Whether Pence’s strategy of challenging Trump abroad will strengthen his influence or further sideline him within the GOP remains unclear. But one thing is certain: as long as Trump continues to shape the Republican message on foreign policy, former allies like Pence will face an uphill battle in trying to redefine it.