Ex-Pence security adviser Keith Kellogg backs Trump in 2024 election

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

Retired Military Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg introduced in a Truth Social post Monday night time that the previous Indiana governor lacks the “decisive management” of his former operating mate, which is “what Republican voters need.”

“President Donald J. Trump stands aside as a determine of unwavering willpower, a deep imaginative and prescient for America, and the braveness to take a stand the place others wilt,” Kellogg mentioned.

“Whereas President Trump has constantly put America first, prioritizing our residents, our financial system, and international standing, Pence’s actions have typically appeared extra centered on political maneuvering and sustaining his picture,” he added.

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

“The place President Trump is daring and unafraid to problem the established order, Pence has typically chosen the passive route, avoiding confrontation,” he mentioned. “This lack of assertiveness, mixed with an overreliance on failed political consultants like Marc Quick, has demonstrated a laisse-faire [sic] management fashion unworthy of the presidency.”

Trump, 77, pleaded not responsible on Aug. 3 to 4 felony counts of conspiring to hinder the electoral course of and pressuring Pence to decertify Joe Biden’s victory, which culminated in a mob storming the US Capitol constructing on Jan. 6, 2021.

“Immediately’s indictment serves as an essential reminder: anybody who places himself over the Structure ought to by no means be President of the USA,” Pence mentioned in a press release the day of Trump’s arraignment.

On Monday, Pence grew to become the latest Republican presidential candidate to qualify for the primary main debate Aug. 23 in Milwaukee after receiving contributions from not less than 40,000 particular person donors.

He additionally met the Republican Nationwide Committee’s polling threshold, which requires candidates to register not less than 1% assist in three nationwide polls to make the controversy 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 certified for the controversy.

Forward of the controversy, Trump is the clear frontrunner with 53.7% assist in nationwide GOP main polls, in accordance with the RealClearPolitics polling common.

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

It stays unclear if the previous president will debate in August after his longtime adviser Jason Miller mentioned final month he would likely skip the event.