Former national security adviser Keith Kellogg has praised former President Donald Trump’s leadership style while criticizing Republican 2024 presidential candidate and former Vice President Mike Pence.
“I’ve worked alongside many leaders in my years of service to this Nation. Among them, President Donald J. Trump stands apart as a figure of unwavering determination, a deep vision for America, and the courage to take a stand where others wilt. His bold and dramatic leadership style during his Presidency resulted in significant achievements for our country,” Mr. Kellogg wrote.
The former White House official stressed that while he respects Mr. Pence’s service to the country during his time as vice president, he was disappointed with his recent actions regarding his 2024 opponent, Mr. Trump.
The indictment, which charges Mr. Trump with criminal conspiracies to defraud the United States, to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding—the Jan. 6 certification of the electoral vote—and conspiracy against the rights of citizens, includes a quote allegedly from Mr. Trump aimed at Mr. Pence after the latter said there was no constitutional basis for him to reject or return vote tallies from states Mr. Trump was still contesting.
‘Too Honest’
According to the indictment, Mr. Trump allegedly told Mr. Pence, “You’re too honest,” before calling on his supporters to back him in his efforts to contest the election results.Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges listed against him in the latest indictment.
“It is not the decisive leadership that we have seen from President Trump,” Mr. Kellogg said of Mr. Pence’s latest actions, before stating that the former vice president lacks “assertiveness.”
Trump ‘Unafraid to Challenge the Status Quo’
Mr. Kellogg, who was initially named as acting national security adviser after the resignation of Gen. Michael Flynn in February 2017, said he believes Mr. Pence’s actions and leadership style are ultimately “not what Republican voters want.”“President Trump’s dedication to the prosperity and security of the United States is unwavering, as is his vision for the future,” he wrote. “I believe in the future President Trump envisions. A future that demands bold and decisive leadership, something we have seen in President Trump but not from the former Vice President.”