Open in full screen mode Mike Pence was Donald Trump's former vice president. Agence France-Presse Former US Vice President Mike Pence threw a wrench into the water on Friday by announcing that he would not support Donald Trump in the November presidential election, sparking new questions about the Republican billionaire's ability to rally his political family. It will not surprise you, I am not going to support Donald Trump this year declared Mike Pence, 64, during ;an interview with Fox News. With his announcement, the Republican has nevertheless created a surprise and broken with a historical tradition. I cannot, in good conscience, support Donald Trump in this campaign. A quote from Mike Pence The Republican accused his former boss of proposing a program that is in contradiction with the conservative project that we put in place during four years. Consult the full file View the full file FollowFollow Evangelical Christian, fierce opponent of abortion, Mike Pence helped Donald Trump to conquer the religious right by being his running mate during the 2016 presidential campaign. But after years of unwavering loyalty, he changed his tune following the assault on the Capitol, which shook American democracy on January 6, 2021. That day, Mike Pence led, as vice-president, the session in Congress, during which elected officials had to certify Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. < p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">Although he only had a ceremonial role, Donald Trump insisted that he refused to validate the election of the Democrat. 
US elections 2024
US Elections 2024
Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after a rally with President Donald Trump, January 6, 2021 in Washington
L& #x27;former governor of Indiana had not complied, which earned him strong enmity among the billionaire's supporters. Entering the Capitol by force, some called to “hang” Mike Pence, who had to hastily hide.
He has since ruled that the president's words had been “irresponsible” and had “put him in danger”. In June 2023, Mike Pence ran against him in the Republican primaries. But he had to throw in the towel, even before the first polls, for lack of support.
Donald Trump, who does not waste the slightest opportunity to criticize his former vice-president, did not react immediately.
But Mike Pence's announcement did cause a shock wave within the party, fueling speculation about the former man's ability business to appeal to Republicans beyond its base of very loyal supporters.
A few days before Mike Pence's announcement, Nikki Haley, who was Donald Trump's last rival in the primaries, had already refused to support the Republican's candidacy against Joe Biden.
Nikki Haley was last in line in the Republican primary race. (Archive photo)
Throwing in the towel on March 6, the former American ambassador to the UN under Trump had estimated that the tempestuous septuagenarian should “deserve the votes” she obtained during the primary, those of a more moderate electorate.
Donald Trump has certainly had a string of victories in the race for the Republican nomination, but his successes at the polls have also revealed vulnerabilities in the former president which could complicate his reconquest of the House- White.
Surrounded by investigations, Donald Trump could see his support erode among moderate Republicans and independents — essential voices if he wants to win against Democratic President Joe Biden in November.