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Under his watch, Trump made Michael Flynn his national security advisor, and thus gave him access to the nations most heavily guarded secrets, despite knowing that Flynn was under federal investigation for being a paid foreign agent for the Turkish government during the presidential campaign. Pence either wittingly lied to the public about Flynns misconduct during the campaign and transition, or allowed himself to be used.

Pence also repeated, seven times, Trumps dishonest pretext for firing FBI Director James Comeythat he was merely acting on the advice of his deputy attorney generalonly to see Trump confess his true motive for the firing to Russian diplomats in the Oval Office. (I just fired the head of the FBI, Trump told them.He was crazy, a real nut job. I faced great pressure because of Russia. Thats taken off.)

That, by sheer coincidence, is when reports citing unnamed sources painting Pence as the victim of a pattern of malpractice or intentional [deception] began to emerge. Poor Mike Pence didnt realize he had been enlisted to deceive the public about Flynn and Comeyhe was just following orders.

Its also when some of the most damaging leaks about Trumps official conduct began spilling out to the pressincluding top-secret information from that Oval Office meeting with the Russians that Pence may have the authority to declassify.

And finally, its when Trumps allies started noticing something amiss.

Assuming Pence isnt simply readying himself for Trumps downfall, but taking steps hasten it, we should note that he wont be well situated to make the most of his coup.

The most recent historical analogue, Gerald Ford, served in a care-taking capacity after President Richard Nixons resignation, before losing to Jimmy Carter two years later. But Ford, unlike Pence, could credibly disclaim complicity in the controversies that brought Nixon down. Ford wasnt elected vice president, but was elevated to the position after Nixons actual running mate, Spiro Agnew, was driven from office by scandals unrelated to Watergate. Pence may or may not be Agnew, but he isnt Ford either, and if he inherits the presidency from a beleaguered Trump, he wont ever be able to escape Trumps fetid aroma.

Ron Klain, a chief of staff to vice presidents Gore and Bidentold The New Yorkers Ryan Lizza on Tuesday, Over all, I would say that whenever Mike Pence runs for office in the future, the liability he will carry from this period is not how he distanced himself from Trump but, rather, how he deepened his ties to the President. But Pence may not be waiting until 2020. And just because he might be misguided about the spoils that would await him if Trump resigns or is impeached doesnt mean he isnt striving for that outcome anyhow.

Trump and his loyalists have been speculating publicly that the deep state is behind all of the damaging disclosures weve been swimming in for months. They should also wonder whether the presidents suspiciously fawning heir is behind some of them, too.

Read more:
Is Mike Pence the Deep State That Trump Fears? - New Republic