Mike Pence tells Republican lawmakers who lost primaries or are not running to follow their “conscience” on work with Trump administration

Former Vice President Mike Pence urged Republican lawmakers who have lost their primaries or have decided not to seek reelection to follow their conscience in deciding how to respond to the Trump administration, according to an interview reported by The Hill on June 16.

The Hill reported that Pence was asked whether such lawmakers would work with the administration or stand up to it. Pence’s response, as described in the report, was: “My advice to them is just follow your conscience.”

The comments were tied, in the report’s framing, to the situation of Republican members facing electoral defeat or choosing not to continue in office, including what the article called the “YOLO caucus,” a reference to a group of GOP lawmakers who have drawn attention for their willingness to challenge party leadership and leadership priorities.

Pence’s advice did not, in the report, specify particular legislative issues or outline a timetable for what lawmakers should do next beyond the broad instruction to follow their conscience.

The Hill’s report did not indicate that Pence announced any formal political organization, endorsement, or legislative package as part of the remarks. The account focused instead on Pence’s view of how individual lawmakers should make decisions at the end of their campaigns or terms.

The practical effect of Pence’s comments, as reflected in the reporting, is that lawmakers who are leaving office may have more room to prioritize personal judgment rather than party strategy when weighing cooperation with the executive branch or opposition to administration priorities.

Whether Pence’s guidance translates into concrete actions would depend on each lawmaker’s remaining time in office and the issues under consideration, including how members choose to handle administration policy in committees, floor votes, and oversight.

The remarks, as described by The Hill, also underscore a recurring theme in congressional politics for members who are politically vulnerable or departing: the balance between party alignment and individual decision-making as Congress moves through the final stages of the election cycle.