Pence says Trump administration has an ‘air of corruption’
“I think stories about cabinet officials and stories about the family of cabinet officials and the stories of the first family have been troubling to the American people,” Pence said.
Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Donald Trump’s administration Sunday, saying an “air of self-dealing and corruption” contributed to Republicans’ losses in the midterm elections.
“I am convinced our voters didn’t turn left, I think they were turned off,” he said.
Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with Kristen Welker, Pence said voters were troubled by reports involving administration officials and the growing wealth of the president’s family.
“I think stories about cabinet officials and stories about the family of cabinet officials and the stories of the first family have been troubling to the American people,” Pence said.
He specifically questioned the financial gains Trump and his family have made through cryptocurrency ventures.
“The president was a successful businessman long before he came to be in office and no one begrudges him or the Trump family for continuing to be in business — but a billion-dollar increase to your net worth through cryptocurrency is astounding to Americans,” Pence said.
Pence said Republicans need to examine why voters turned away from the party and return to the conservative principles that traditionally defined the GOP.
“Returning our party to the high standards in public office will be just as important,” he said.
The former vice president also characterized the midterm results as more than an electoral setback, calling them a “reckoning.”