Pence to start new post-vice-presidency life as a columnist and podcaster

He said he looks forward to arguing 'for strong national defence, free markets, and traditional values'

Former Vice President Mike Pence is returning to his previous industry as he takes on the roles of columnist and podcaster after leaving the White House. Before entering politics, Mr Pence worked as a host on conservative talk radio in his home state of Indiana.

Conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation announced in a statement Thursday that Mr Pence will join the organisation as a distinguished visiting fellow.

Foundation President Kay James said in the statement that Mr Pence's "allegiance to the Constitution and commitment to advancing a conservative policy agenda make him an outstanding fit for The Heritage Foundation".

Mr Pence said that the foundation is a "flagship of the conservative movement and I am profoundly honoured to join them as a distinguished visiting fellow to advance conservative policies that will benefit every American," adding that the organisation was pivotal in shaping his "conservative philosophy for decades and played a pivotal role advancing conservative policies throughout the Trump Administration".

He said he looks forward to making the case "for a strong national defence, free markets, and traditional values".

Read more: Opinion - Mike Pence's podcast sounds right up his alley

Mr Pence will write a monthly column for The Daily Signal, the organisation's media outlet, and make a "series of speeches on policy issues" while at the think tank.

Ms James called Mr Pence "one of the most consequential vice presidents of our time" and a "heroic protector and defender the Constitution".

She added: "Knowing that Vice President Pence is still in the fight is an adrenaline shot for the entire conservative movement.”

"Working together with the former vice president, Heritage will continue to support and defend these policy accomplishments while also fighting back against a socialist agenda pushed by those on the left", the statement ended.

Mr Pence will also join the Young American's Foundation as the first Ronald Reagan Presidential Scholar. After 22 years off the airwaves, Mr Pence returns to the audio format as he will host a podcast for the conservative youth organisation, which goes back to the 60s.

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, now the president of the Young American's Foundation, said that Mr Pence will "attract new hearts and minds to the conservative cause," adding that Mr Pence's "energy and enthusiasm for Ronald Reagan’s values has and will continue to inspire a new generation of young people".

Mr Pence will also join the organisation's campus lecture program to deliver "his pro-freedom message directly to the rising generation," the statement said.

In addition, Mr Pence will host a "video podcast to share the good news of conservatism through one of today’s most popular mediums," the statement boasts.

Mr Pence, who started his political journey as a Democrat after growing up in a family who adored President John F Kennedy, said in a statement that "the vision and leadership of Ronald Reagan inspired my youth and I am humbled to continue the work of advancing the Conservative cause from a position bearing his name. Now more than ever, we need to take the case for freedom, free markets, and traditional values to the rising generation".

Mr Pence left office on 20 January, his relationship with former President Trump deteriorating significantly after Mr Pence chose to not attempt to overturn the election as he oversaw the certification of President Joe Biden's electoral college win. Mr Trump falsely believed that Mr Pence had the ability to simply not count the votes of some states that Mr Biden had won, ignoring Mr Pence's attempts to explain that this was not possible. As Mr Pence led the certification process on 6 January, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to stop it, some of them making clear that they were intending to harm the then-Vice President.

Joining organisations which long have been part of the conservative establishment, Mr Pence appears to chart a path to possibly return to the political fray and maybe run for president in 2024 or further in the future.