Mike Pence took on trans swimmers as he launched his presidential bid on Wednesday, describing them as a threat to America’s “timeless values”.
Mr Pence has become the first vice president to challenge his former running mate. In his campaign video, he took on President Joe Biden by name and Donald Trump by implication.
“President Joe Biden and the radical Left have weakened America at home and abroad,” Mr Pence said alongside a video montage of America.
“We can turn this country around. But different times call for different leadership.”
Over footage of the withdrawal from Afghanistan and trans swimmer Lia Thomas, Mr Pence said: “Timeless American values are under assault as never before. We’re better than this.”
He said that the “American dream is being crushed” by inflation, dropping wages and that the southern border is “under siege” as the “the enemies of freedom are on the march around the world”.
Turning more squarely on Mr Trump, Mr Pence went on to declare that the Republican party and America needs a candidate that will appeal to the “better angels of our nature”.
“Together, we can bring this country back and the best for the greatest nation on Earth.”
Mr Pence faces an uphill challenge for the nomination.
The majority of GOP voters in national polls favour Mr Trump, with Florida governor Ron DeSantis snapping at his heels with 22.4 per cent backing him.
Mr Pence sits in fourth place, behind Mr Trump, Mr DeSantis and Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the UN. He currently has four per cent of the vote.
Mr Pence stood firmly behind Mr Trump as his vice president. However, cracks in their relationship began when Mr Trump declared that the 2020 presidential election result was rigged.
Angry over his refusal to block the certification of the election, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6 chanting, “Hang Mike Pence!”
Mr Pence is due to speak in Des Moines, Iowa, a key battleground for the presidential race, later on Wednesday.
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