Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday publicly criticized remarks made by President Donald Trump during a recent speech in Saudi Arabia, arguing that the comments diminished the sacrifices of American service members who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.Appearing on Meet the Press on NBC News, Pence addressed statements Trump delivered in Riyadh during a Middle East visit last week. In his remarks, Trump criticized past U.S. foreign policy in the region, particularly efforts aimed at “nation-building” carried out by previous administrations. During the address, Trump suggested that the development and modernization seen in cities such as Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were largely the result of local leadership and initiative rather than Western intervention. He argued that attempts by outside powers to reshape complex societies had often produced negative outcomes.
“In the end, the so-called ‘nation-builders’ wrecked far more nations than they built,” Trump said. “The interventionists were intervening in complex societies that they did not even understand themselves.”Trump has long advocated for a foreign policy approach focused on limiting extended U.S. military involvement overseas. Throughout his political campaigns and presidency, he frequently warned against what he described as “endless wars,” emphasizing the need to prioritize domestic concerns such as border security and immigration enforcement.The speech came during a multi-day diplomatic trip that included visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The president did not include Israel on the itinerary, a point noted by moderator Kristen Welker during the interview.Pence said he viewed the broader diplomatic visit as largely successful but took issue with Trump’s characterization of past 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 attacks, noting that many of the hijackers involved were from Saudi Arabia. He concluded that while debate over foreign policy is appropriate, American leaders should exercise caution when discussing U.S. actions abroad during international engagements.
