Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday criticized remarks made by President Donald Trump during a recent speech in Saudi Arabia, arguing that the comments risked diminishing the sacrifices made by American service members who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Speaking during an appearance on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Pence responded to statements Trump delivered in Riyadh last week while visiting the Middle East. In that address, Trump sharply criticized past U.S. foreign policy efforts in the region, particularly initiatives associated with “nation-building” undertaken by previous administrations.
During the speech, Trump suggested that the economic growth and modernization seen in cities such as Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were largely driven by the leadership and determination of local governments rather than the influence of Western intervention. He argued that attempts by outside powers to reshape complex societies had often led to unintended and sometimes harmful outcomes.
“In the end, the so-called ‘nation-builders’ wrecked far more nations than they built,” Trump said during the address. “The interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves.”
Trump has long promoted a foreign policy approach that prioritizes limiting prolonged U.S. military involvement abroad. Throughout both his presidential campaigns and his time in office, he frequently warned against what he described as “endless wars,” emphasizing the importance of focusing national resources on domestic priorities such as border security and immigration enforcement.
The remarks were delivered during a multi-day diplomatic tour of the Middle East that included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, Israel was not included on the itinerary, a point raised by Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker during the interview with Pence.
While Pence described the broader diplomatic visit as largely positive, he expressed strong disagreement with Trump’s characterization of previous U.S. military efforts in the region.
“I’ve never been a fan of American presidents criticizing America on foreign soil,” Pence said. “To question America’s global war on terror while speaking in Saudi Arabia, and to frame it as nation-building or interventionism, is a disservice to generations of Americans who served in uniform.”
Pence also referenced the historical context of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, noting that many of the hijackers were Saudi nationals. He concluded that while debate over foreign policy is both necessary and appropriate, U.S. leaders should exercise caution when discussing America’s actions abroad during international engagements.
