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Mike Pence at odds with Trump's second administration, says it departed from conservative principles
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Former Vice President Mike Pence has slammed President Donald Trump's second administration, accusing it of ‘departing’ from conservative principles. He also slammed the anti-weaponisation fund, calling it a ‘bad idea’.Former US Vice President Mike Pence slams President Donald Trump's second administration(REUTERS)Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday (local time) said that US President Donald Trump's second administration has “departed” from traditional conservative principles.Pence, who served as Trump's vice president during his first term, told NBC News that the administration is no longer committed to "the conservative agenda that has defined the Republican Party since the days of Ronald Reagan, and before that, an agenda of American leadership, limited government, free market economics, the right to life.”Pence also noted that “on a number of those issues, the president’s been good” in the past.No question about Trump's popularity: PenceThe former vice president stated that there's no question about Trump's popularity and added, "I give him all the credit in the world for the hold that he has on Republican voters.”Pence said that he believes GOP voters align with the Republican Party's core conservative principles, stating that "if Republicans this fall and in 2028 hold up those time-honored conservative principles, those voters will rally to our cause.”Most MAGA voters still back conservative principles: PenceHe also said that while he understands why most Republican primary voters support Trump-backed candidates, he believes the vast majority of people in the MAGA movement continue to support traditional conservative principles, including a strong US leadership role on the world stage, limited government, lower taxes, fewer regulations, opposition to policies such as government ownership of businesses, price controls, and broad tariffs, and a commitment to protecting unborn life.Pence slams second Trump administrationThe former vice president lashed out at the US president's current administration for not doing enough to restrict abortion pills, saying, “This administration, we see a desire to relegate the right to life to a state-only issue, to actually have a pro-abortion secretary of HHS who has done nothing to limit the availability of the abortion pill.”He also warned that the values of Trump's second administration could affect how Republicans fare in the upcoming midterm elections in November, adding that if they win, it will only be because Democrats are too radical.Pence hits out at Democrats“I think in many respects Republicans have lost our way, but Democrats have lost their mind, and I think the reason why we’re going to hold the Senate, and we have a real shot to hold the House, is because of the extremism on the Democratic side,” he said, pointing specifically to the Texas Senate race.Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton dethroned Sen. John Cornyn in the race for the GOP Senate nomination, setting up a general election matchup against Democratic nominee James Talarico.Anti-weaponisation fund a bad idea: PencePence also expressed criticism of the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s "anti-weaponisation fund," which includes roughly $1.8 billion that could be paid out to individuals who believe they have been wrongly targeted by the government. The fund was temporarily blocked last week by a federal judge.He noted that the anti-weaponisation fund was a bad idea right from the beginning, and his advice to the current administration would be to drop it.Pence, who was overseeing the congressional certification of the 2020 presidential election results when the January 6 attack on the Capitol unfolded and was forced to leave the building for safety, said he believes most Republicans and Americans share his unfavourable opinion of the fund.The former vice president's remarks highlight how he is at odds with Trump's second administration.Key TakeawaysPence believes Trump's administration is not adhering to
PM Narendra Modi on Saturday invited Dutch companies to design, innovate, and manufacture in India. During his two-day visit to the Netherlands, he also witnessed the signing of an agreement for a semiconductor fab and highlighted the bilateral partnership between India and the Netherlands.In this image posted on May 17, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten during a meeting with Dutch CEOs at a roundtable, in The Hague. Modi on Saturday invited Dutch companies to design, innovate and manufacture in India, saying the country offers immense opportunities(@narendramodi)Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invited Dutch companies to design, innovate, and manufacture in India, highlighting the country’s wide range of business opportunities.He encouraged firms to explore sectors such as maritime, renewable energy, digital technologies, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and healthcare.PM Modi, who is in the Netherlands for a visit during the second leg of his five-nation tour, also witnessed the signing of an agreement between Tata Electronics and ASML to extend support to the semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat.He was accompanied by his Dutch counterpart, Rob Jetten, as the two prime ministers called for the early implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). According to an official release, the FTA reinforces India and the European Union as trusted and reliable partners.India a symbol of scale and stability: PM ModiAddressing the CEO roundtable, PM Modi said that India has grown into a symbol of scale and stability, adding that no country in the world can match its speed in infrastructure, clean energy, and connectivity. He noted that India now contributes 17 per cent to global growth.Emphasising that India’s economy has been reshaped through continuous reforms, the Prime Minister said the government has worked to provide greater policy stability for businesses while expanding private sector opportunities. He added that sectors such as space, mining, and nuclear energy have been progressively opened up.He further elaborated: “We are continuously reducing compliance burdens and enhancing the ease of doing business. Recently, we implemented next-generation reforms in areas such as taxation, labour codes, and governance.”Manufacturing in India is becoming highly cost-effective: PMPM Modi added that manufacturing in India is becoming highly cost-effective, while in the services sector, the country has become an engine of efficiency and innovation on the strength of its talent.He also informed the gathering that all global technology companies have set up their global capability centres in India.India-Netherlands partnershipCommenting on bilateral ties, PM Modi said that he and his Dutch counterpart would take several significant decisions. “We are going to transform this trusted India-Netherlands partnership into a strategic partnership. We are launching an ambitious joint roadmap for green hydrogen. We are making our ties in the technology sector future-ready,” he added.Additionally, the two countries will further strengthen talent mobility, university partnerships, and joint research and development (R&D).He pointed out that over 300 Dutch companies are now part of India’s growth story. He also said that the Netherlands is India’s largest European investor and its second-largest trading partner.The two sides also signed several agreements to further boost cooperation across a range of areas.The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trading destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching $27.8 billion in 2024–25. The European nation is India’s fourth-largest investor, with cumulative foreign direct investment of $55.6 billion.PM Modi hails Indians’ contribution to the NetherlandsPM Modi, who arrived in The Hague on Friday, received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands. He praised the Indian diaspora for its contributions to Dutch soci
Prime Minister Modi's visit to the Netherlands aims to enhance cooperation in semiconductors, clean energy, and water management. He will meet Dutch leaders and address the Indian community, highlighting the opportunities from the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.PM Modi's Visit to Netherlands Aims to Strengthen Cooperation in Key Sectors(REUTERS)Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his two-day visit to the Netherlands would help strengthen bilateral cooperation across key sectors such as semiconductors, water management, clean energy and other strategic areas.In an 'X' post, PM Modi said that he would be meeting Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and would call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. He will also address the Indian community in the country on Saturday."Landed in Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when the India-EU Free Trade Agreement has given a major impetus to trade and investment linkages. It offers an opportunity to deepen relations in areas like semiconductors, water, clean energy and more. Will be holding talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten and will be calling on Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. I also look forward to addressing a community programme on the morning of the 16th," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on 'X'.Upon his arrival, PM Modi was welcomed by Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar, Adjutant-General and Chief of the Military Household of His Majesty the King, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Kumar Tuhin, along with other senior officials of the Dutch government.Modi meets Indian DiasporaThe Prime Minister also interacted with the Indian diaspora, where he was met with enthusiasm and smiling faces while shaking hands and interacting with the public. He was welcomed with cultural performances too.PM Modi shared heartfelt moments with the Indian community and witnessed a cultural and classical performance after he arrived at the hotel.An artist, Gautam, who performed in front of PM Modi, expressed happiness upon his interaction. "We performed Garba to welcome PM Modi. We interacted with him, and we are all very happy," he told ANI.Modi met with UAE President on FridayBefore arriving in Netherlands, PM Modi met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan earlier on Friday and reaffirmed India's strong support for the country. The Prime Minister stressed that New Delhi stands "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Abu Dhabi amid growing regional instability in West Asia.Addressing the UAE leadership during the meeting, PM Modi described the UAE as his "second home" and thanked the Emirati side for the warm reception extended to him."I express my heartfelt gratitude for this warm welcome. And as you said, I have come to my second home," PM Modi said, adding that the escort provided by UAE Air Force aircraft during his arrival was "a matter of pride for the people of India."The Prime Minister also thanked the UAE leadership for expressing condolences over the recent natural disaster in Uttar Pradesh and said he had been personally eager to meet the UAE president. "We strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE. The way the UAE has been targeted is unacceptable in any way," PM Modi stated during the talks.Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsIndiaWATCH | PM Modi lands Netherlandsfor second leg of five-nation tour, aims to strengthen India-EU strategic partnershipMore
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