Former Vice President Mike Pence faced scrutiny during a recent appearance on CNN’s *The Source*, where he struggled to address comments made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth suggested that media coverage of U.S. troop deaths in Iran has been excessive. This statement prompted host Kaitlan Collins to question Pence about the appropriateness of those remarks.
In the tense exchange, Collins pressed Pence, whose family has military ties, on whether he found Hegseth’s comments fair. “I’ve never heard a Defense Secretary say there’s too much coverage of troop deaths,” Collins stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue. Rather than directly addressing the question, Pence sidestepped the inquiry, remarking, “Yeah, I don’t want to get in between you and the administration arguing about media.”
Pence attempted to shift the focus of the discussion by asserting the importance of honoring fallen service members. He expressed condolences for the six service members killed since the start of hostilities, stating, “The attention that is being paid, the honor that is being shown to our fallen heroes is altogether fitting and altogether proper.” He also commended President Donald Trump for planning to attend the return of the fallen troops at Dover Air Force Base.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Pence remarked, “Having been to Dover Air Force Base too many times during my four years as vice president, I’m also very, very grateful that the president will be on that tarmac when our heroes come home.” He concluded his remarks by praising the U.S. military forces, stating, “By all accounts in open source, Kaitlan, I just couldn’t be more proud of the job our armed forces are doing on the ground.”
The exchange quickly gained traction on social media, with many users criticizing Pence for what they perceived as an evasive response. One Twitter user noted, “That answer had the political equivalent of slowly backing out of the room.” Another added, “At least we can be grateful that Mike Pence’s only recorded moment of courage came at the most important time, but anyone characterizing this guy as ‘brave’ or ‘principled’ is just telling themselves bedtime stories.”
Critics continued to express their disdain, with comments such as “This clown is still a spineless coward,” and “Mike Pence remains a pathetic coward,” illustrating the strong reactions from the public.
The incident underscores the challenges politicians face in addressing sensitive topics, particularly those involving military service and fatalities. As discussions about the U.S. military’s role in foreign conflicts continue, public figures are often expected to navigate these conversations with care and clarity.
