Vice President Mike Pence has sought to establish himself as a steady hand in the White House, even as President Donald Trump’s administration remained embroiled in successive crises since the inauguration in January.

Largely opting for low-key public appearances and meetings both domestically and abroad, Pence has limited his public remarks to closely choreographed statements, as opposed to the bombastic style of the commander-in-chief.

Despite this, Pence’s public activities have not gone without some scrutiny. His positions on a number of issues have also prompted the ire of critics.

Here are ten things you should know about Pence’s policies and beliefs – and how he acted on them over the years.


Pence didn’t want women serving in the military, he wrote in a 1999 op-ed that “Mulan” was liberal propaganda, and proof that women in the military doesn’t work (referring to her love interest in another soldier).

Foto: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, center right at bottom, takes a selfie with U.S. servicemen on the flight deck of U.S. navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, at the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Wednesday, April 19, 2017. source AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

Source: BuzzFeed News


In 2000, Pence wrote an op-ed in which he said "smoking doesn't kill." The article resurfaced during the 2016 election because of the claim, which Penc appeared to contradict by saying in the same op-ed, "smoking is not good for you."

Foto: Mike Pence source Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider


While running for Congress in 2000, Pence wrote on his website that money funding research for HIV/AIDS should be moved to fund conversion therapy, "which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior."

Foto: FILE PHOTO: U. S. Vice President Mike Pence addresses Chamber of Commerce "Invest in America!" summit in Washington source Thomson Reuters

Source: BuzzFeed


Pence told the Hill in 2002 that he never eats alone with a woman other than his wife and he doesn't attend events featuring alcohol without her.

Foto: US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, left, look at a koala during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Sunday, April 23, 2017. Pence is on the last part of his four-country trip to Asia and Australia. source Peter Parks/Pool Photo via AP

Source: The Washington Post

Source: the Hill


During his time in Congress, Pence co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation for a "federal shield law," which would have allowed reporters to keep confidential sources secret, even if the government requested them.

Foto: source Getty Images

Source: The Washington Post


Pence in 2006 cited a Harvard researcher in remarks where he declared same-sex marriage would bring about a "societal collapse."

Foto: Republican vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence reacts following a campaign rally, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, in Fort Wayne, Ind. source Darron Cummings/AP

Source: TIME


In 2011, Pence authored a bill to completely defund Planned Parenthood, and signaled he was willing to prompt a government shutdown over it.

Foto: Thousands of people gather for the annual March for Life rally in Washington, DC, U.S. January 27, 2017. source REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Source: Mic

Source: New York Times


In a bid to limit abortions, Pence in 2011 sought to change how and when federal funds for abortions could be used, which typically applied in cases of rape or incest. Pence wanted to change the term, "rape" to "forcible rape," but later backed off amid criticism.

Foto: source REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Source: Washington Post

Source: Mic


While governor of Indiana, Pence signed the 2015 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was meant to allow business owners to cite religious beliefs as reason to refuse service to members of the LGBTQ community.

Foto: Demonstrators gather to protest a controversial religious freedom bill in Indianapolis source Thomson Reuters

Source: Mic

Source: HuffPost


While governor of Indiana, Pence was blamed for an HIV crisis in his state after he moved to slash funding for Planned Parenthood in 2011. A local Planned Parenthood facility had to close in 2013 because of the spending cut. That facility was the only HIV testing center in Scott County, which faced a deepening drug-use problem that was believed to have hastened HIV outbreaks.

Foto: Vice President Mike Pence addresses a rally on the National Mall before the start of the 44th annual March for Life January 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is a gathering and protest against the United States Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. source Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Source: HuffPost