Administration Pence: MAGA Republicans ‘overwhelmingly supportive’ of Trump Iran operation by Ryan Mancini - 03/13/26 11:40 AM ET by Ryan Mancini - 03/13/26 11:40 AM ET Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email NOW PLAYING Former Vice President Pence on Thursday said Republicans loyal to his former boss, President Trump, are “overwhelmingly supportive” of the U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran. Pence told NewsNation’s Leland Vittert on “On Balance” that he favors the U.S. finishing “the job once and for all.” The former vice president also said, however, there exists “a divide happening among some commentators, some online influencers, but I really do believe that Republicans, including Republicans who would describe themselves as MAGA Republicans, are overwhelmingly supportive of the president’s decision and of our forces.” Pence told Vittert that he does not think there’s a “divide” among the “loudest voices.” “I mean, what we’ve seen is a rising tide of isolationist voices on the airwaves, online,” he continued, adding that President Trump “turned to a deaf ear to those isolationist voices and said, ‘No, we’re going to take action. We’re going to unleash America’s military.‘” Pence also backed the White House’s calls for unconditional surrender from Iran and show that “we are going to finish this fight once and for all.” “If we continue to pound the security infrastructure in Iran, I believe that will create the conditions where the people of Iran can reclaim their country,” Pence continued. “And Leland, just as important, in so doing, I believe the United States has an opportunity to restore the deterrence that was squandered in that disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden.” Pence’s remarks on isolation echo debates online over Trump’s “America First” policy and if the conflict with Iran conforms with isolationist thought. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller last week argued that the president’s foreign policy was not isolationist, rather that Trump “believes America’s awesome military might should be used to protect and defend America’s interest.” “‘America First’ means ‘America will be the greatest, most unquestioned, unmatched power in the world,’ and it means we will defend American lives,” he added. “And yes, we will avenge American blood.” Miller’s remarks were met with pushback, prompting some to argue that his point contradicted the historical point of “America First.” The term was touted by former President Wilson and anti-World War I isolationists, according to the  American Presidency Project  at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Wilson, a Democrat, rallied support for not entering the war during his reelection campaign in 1916; the U.S. formally declared war the following year. Add as preferred source on Google Tags Donald Trump Iran Joe Biden Leland Vittert MAGA Republicans Mike Pence Mike Pence Stephen Miller Stephen Miller Woodrow Wilson Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email More Administration News See All Media White House rips CNN for broadcasting statement from Iran leader by Dominick Mastrangelo 2 hours ago Media  /  2 hours ago