Donald Trump “doesn’t care” about the future of the Republican Party and will only look after himself and his family, said a former aide to former Vice President Mike Pence.
Olivia Troye, who served as Pence’s internal security adviser, said she was perplexed to see some Republican figures still “pleasing” Trump after he treated Pence in the last days of his time at the White House.
Trump turned on Pence after the former loyal deputy allegedly refused to help in his attempt to overturn the presidential election results.
Appearing on MSNBC on Saturday, Troye was asked whether Republicans would support Pence if he criticized the former president. She told presenter Alex Witt that “there was no time like today to take that position”.
“If you are finally going to break away from Trumpism and walk away and allow others to have the opportunity to perhaps come forward with you and provide, strengthen and protect them – this would be the time,” she said.
“I hope that maybe somewhere in Mike Pence’s head he is evaluating this, but there is also a careful calculation for him. His life has already been threatened, his credibility, by Trump, has been completely undermined and destroyed even after his unwavering loyalty to years . “
Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy visited Trump – who remains the party leader – at the ex-president’s headquarters in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, last week.
They were reportedly discussing the future of the GOP, just two weeks after McCarthy said Trump “is responsible” for the US Capitol riot on January 6.
Trump was impeached for allegedly inciting the crowd and faces a Senate trial that is due to start early next month, when the former president hopes to find support from Republican lawmakers.
The then president addressed a crowd outside the Capitol, just before part of the crowd stormed the building as lawmakers tried to confirm the votes of the Electoral College that confirmed Biden’s victory in the elections and the defeat of Trump.
Part of the crowd was heard shouting “Hang Mike Pence”, a phrase that Twitter has blocked from trend. While Pence took refuge in the riots, which left five dead, Trump criticized him on social media.
“That is why it is so disconcerting for me to see these petty Republicans, fly to Mar-a-Lago and be so loyal to Trump because he has turned against you,” added Troye.
“He’s not loyal back, look what he did to Mike Pence. It’s just fascinating to see these Republicans and the Republican Party continue to clamor around him when he clearly doesn’t care about them.”
The Washington Post linked Trump to the formation of a new political party. The newspaper said Trump had told people in his orbit that the threat of such a party would put pressure on Republicans when they vote in his Senate impeachment trial.
“[Trump] doesn’t care about the party’s future, “said Troye.” He’s in it for his family, he’s in it for his personal gain. He always has been. “
This is not the first time Troye has spoken out against Trump in recent weeks.
In late December, she revealed her concern “that there will be violence on January 6 because the president himself is encouraging”.
Last week, the former head of the White House coronavirus work team suggested that she should spy on the group’s then coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx.
“She was going into a dead-end situation and even more than I think she realized. And I was told I should keep an eye on her. That she was not to be trusted because she was hired by Matt Pottinger, she told MSNBC.
MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty