President Trump’s recent comments in Saudi Arabia were harshly criticized by Mike Pence, who called them a “disservice to veterans” who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The former vice president criticized Trump for casting doubt on America’s war on terror from overseas, especially in Saudi Arabia, where 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers were based. This widening gap between erstwhile allies highlights more profound disagreements over America’s military history and foreign policy course.
Trump’s Controversial Middle East Speech Sparks Backlash
President Donald Trump delivered a speech in Saudi Arabia last week that condemned American “interventionists” and “nation-builders” for their roles in Middle Eastern conflicts. He claimed these groups “wrecked far more nations than they built” and criticized them for intervening in “complex societies that they did not even understand themselves.”
🚨The insufferable Mike Pence continues his Trump-bashing tour —
— lashes out at Trump for saying America is out of the nation-building business while in Saudi Arabia:
“A disservice to generations of Americans who wore the uniform." pic.twitter.com/ygCFPdU5OU
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) May 18, 2025
The President’s remarks were part of a multi-day trip to the Middle East that included stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, but notably excluded Israel. Trump specifically targeted “nation-builders,” “neo-cons,” and “liberal non-profits,” claiming they “spent trillions failing to develop Kabul and Baghdad” during the war on terror while praising Middle Eastern leadership for building modern cities like Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
Pence Defends Veterans and American Military Honor
Mike Pence expressed strong disapproval of Trump criticizing American foreign policy on foreign soil, especially in Saudi Arabia. “I’ve never been a fan of American presidents criticizing America on foreign soil,” Pence stated, adding that Trump’s characterization of the global war on terror as mere “nation-building” dishonored generations of American service members.
Mike Pence just slammed President Trump for being weak on Qatar.
KEEP TRUMPS NAME OUT YOUR MOUTH!
Mike Pence keeps bad mouthing Trump the man who made him Vice President.
HE IS FAKER THAN A 3 DOLLAR BILL
I lost all Respect for Mike Pence
Who’s with me 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/G8cRWdAVqZ— Joel Fischer 🇺🇸 (@realJoelFischer) May 18, 2025
The timing and location of Trump’s speech distressed Pence, who pointed out the Saudi connection to the 9/11 attacks. Despite his criticism, Pence acknowledged some positive aspects of the trip, including what he described as successful economic outcomes for America through financial commitments and a historic contract for Boeing aircraft.
Concerns Over Diplomatic Strategy and Syria Sanctions
Beyond the speech itself, Pence raised alarms about Trump’s decision to lift sanctions against Syria despite Israeli opposition. The President met with Syria’s newly installed president during his Middle East tour. This move has raised eyebrows among traditional conservatives concerned about regional security and America’s relationship with Israel.
“But, Kristen, I’ve never been a fan of American presidents criticizing America on foreign soil. And to have the president in Saudi Arabia questioning America’s global war on terror, and describing it as nation-building and interventionist, I thought was a disservice to generations of Americans who wore the uniform and who took the fight to our enemy, you know, in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Trump’s omission of Israel from his itinerary has further fueled concerns about shifting U.S. diplomatic strategies in the Middle East. The President’s apparent pivot toward building stronger relationships with Saudi Arabia and even Syria while distancing from traditional neoconservative foreign policy approaches represents a significant shift in American engagement with the region.
Many conservative supporters view Trump’s approach as a necessary correction to decades of failed interventionist policies that cost American lives and trillions of dollars. However, establishment Republicans like Pence maintain that respecting military sacrifices while on foreign soil should remain a presidential priority regardless of policy differences.
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