Former Vice President Mike Pence delivered a wide-ranging conversation at The Atlantic Festival this week, offering a candid look at his vision for conservatism, his thoughts on free speech, and his hopes for the future of the Republican Party. Speaking with journalist Tim Alberta, Pence reflected on the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the role of civility in public life, and the controversy surrounding late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension from ABC.
Responding to the Charlie Kirk Assassination
Pence began by addressing the killing of Charlie Kirk, whom he described as a “dynamic young man” and a “champion of free speech.” Pence praised law enforcement in Utah for apprehending the suspect within 33 hours, calling it a testament to cooperation between state and federal authorities.
Quoting scripture, Pence said, “You mourn with those who mourn and grieve with those who grieve,” urging Americans to focus on grieving and justice rather than escalating partisan blame. He emphasized personal responsibility, warning against turning political violence into a referendum on the nation as a whole.
“Absent any additional evidence, one man was responsible for the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Pence said. “That man is now in custody. And now comes justice.”
On Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and Free Speech
Alberta pressed Pence on ABC’s decision to indefinitely suspend Kimmel after the comedian suggested “the MAGA gang” was trying to downplay Kirk’s killer’s motives. The FCC chairman had publicly pressured ABC’s parent company, Disney, to act against Kimmel, a move some saw as government overreach.
Pence distinguished between government censorship and private employer decisions. “The First Amendment protects against government censorship of individuals,” he said. “But it does not protect entertainers who say crass or thoughtless things, as Jimmy Kimmel did in the wake of a national tragedy. And private employers have every right to dismiss employees… if they violate the standards of that company.”
While Pence said he “would have preferred that the chairman of the FCC had not weighed in,” he defended ABC’s right to make the call on Kimmel’s future.
Balancing Conservative Principles and Party Loyalty
Pence also addressed his ongoing willingness to challenge his own party when it conflicts with his conservative values. “Elected officials have an obligation to serve their country and their constituents over the president,” Pence said, adding that he remains hopeful the GOP will eventually “return to its Ronald Reagan–era roots” once Donald Trump exits the political stage.
Pence reflected on his own evolution away from negative campaigning, referencing his 1991 essay, “Confessions of a Negative Campaigner.” He explained that his faith led him to adopt a personal code of treating opponents with respect, prioritizing issues over winning at any cost.
Call for Civility in American Politics
Pence closed with a plea for restoring civility to public life, especially amid what he described as a “rising tide of political violence.” He cited a list of high-profile attacks — including the congressional baseball shooting, the attack on Gabby Giffords, and recent threats to public officials — as proof that the national temperature must come down.
“I do think leaders would do well to restore a threshold of civility in American public life,” Pence said. “Let’s argue about policies. Let’s argue about direction. But let’s not let anger and personal attacks define us.”