Former Vice President Mike Pence has made headlines by recruiting over a dozen senior officials from the Heritage Foundation to join his newly established conservative think tank, Advancing American Freedom. This development signals growing tensions within right-wing politics and raises questions about the future of the Republican Party.
The Heritage Foundation, known as one of the most influential conservative think tanks in the United States, has been navigating a crisis of its own. Pence’s move comes on the heels of controversial statements made by Kevin Roberts, the foundation’s leader, who defended Tucker Carlson for inviting white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes on his show. This incident, first reported in-depth in October, ignited fierce backlash, drawing condemnation from prominent Republicans, including US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Senator Ted Cruz.
During the controversy, Fuentes made inflammatory remarks, calling for a pro-white agenda and promoting conspiracy theories targeting Jewish communities. Roberts, however, dismissed the criticism as an attempt to silence Carlson, stating that conservatives need not feel obligated to support any foreign government in response to pressure from what he termed the “globalist class.”
The fallout from these remarks has been significant, leading to the resignation of top Heritage Foundation members, including John Blackman, who criticized the organization for abandoning its core principles and yielding to a rising tide of antisemitism within the right. Andy Olivastro, Heritage’s chief advancement officer, acknowledged the departures, emphasizing the importance of alignment with the foundation’s mission and institution.
With Pence’s think tank now competing with the Heritage Foundation to promote a return to the core values of the Trump-Pence administration, observers are left wondering how this schism will affect the Republican Party’s trajectory heading into the next presidential election in 2028. Furthermore, as the conservative movement grapples with internal divisions over principles and priorities, organizations like Turning Point USA are attempting to adapt, particularly with figures like JD Vance positioned to play a strategic role.
This situation underscores the critical crossroads at which the Republican Party currently stands, emphasizing the ongoing tensions between traditional conservatism and the newer, more radical elements introduced during the Trump era. As these factions vie for influence, the future of Republican ideology and cohesion remains uncertain.