Ever wonder what happens when the motorcade stops for good? For Mike Pence, life after the vice presidency isn't exactly a quiet retirement in a rocking chair on an Indiana porch. It’s actually been a whirlwind of high-stakes policy battles, campus lectures, and a very public, somewhat awkward dance with his former boss.
Honestly, the "where is he now" question is pretty interesting because Pence has basically become the unofficial guardian of "old school" conservatism. While the rest of the GOP has leaned hard into populist vibes, Pence is over here trying to keep the Reagan-era flame alive. You've probably seen snippets of him on the news lately, but the full picture is way more industrious than most people realize.
The Advocacy Engine: Advancing American Freedom
The biggest chunk of his time goes into a group he founded called Advancing American Freedom (AAF). It's a nonprofit, but don't let the tax status fool you; it's a policy powerhouse.
Think of it as his personal think tank. Based in Washington, D.C., AAF is where Pence and a team of former administration officials—like Marc Short—crank out white papers and ad campaigns. They aren't just sitting around. In early 2026, they’ve been incredibly vocal. For instance, Pence recently used the AAF platform to praise the removal of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, credits he gave largely to the military and President Trump’s leadership.
But it’s not all high-fives with the current administration.
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Pence has turned AAF into a bit of a "conscience" for the Republican party. He's been lobbying against certain Trump 2.0 appointees, like Lori-Chavez DeRemer for Labor Secretary, because he thinks they’re too pro-union. He’s also out there fighting for the 2017 tax cuts to become permanent and pushing for a bigger military budget. It's basically a full-time job of being a "traditionalist" thorn in the side of the new populist movement.
Back to School: Professor Pence?
If you happened to be walking across the campus of Grove City College in Pennsylvania this year, you might have bumped into the 48th Vice President.
He’s currently a distinguished visiting fellow for their Center for Faith & Public Life. It’s not just a title on a letterhead, either. He’s actually teaching courses and interacting with students. He’s doing something similar at George Mason University’s Schar School.
It’s a bit of a "full circle" moment. Before he was a politician, he was a lawyer and a radio host. Now, he’s using those communication skills to talk to Gen Z about how faith and politics mix.
The Author Life and the "Bully Pulpit"
Writing is another huge part of the "what does Mike Pence do now" puzzle.
He’s already got two books under his belt: his autobiography So Help Me God and the more family-focused Go Home for Dinner. But he’s not done. He’s got a third one coming out in June 2026 titled What Conservatives Believe. He’s essentially trying to write the modern version of Barry Goldwater’s Conscience of a Conservative.
And then there’s the speaking circuit.
The man stays busy. In January 2026, he was a headliner for the Sacramento Speakers Series. These aren't just casual chats; they’re major events where he gets paid a premium—sometimes upwards of six figures—to share his perspective on the world. His financial disclosures from a couple of years back showed he cleared over $7 million in a relatively short window from speaking and writing. Being a former VP is, quite frankly, very lucrative.
Is He Running Again?
This is the question everyone asks. After his 2024 campaign didn't quite take off, people wondered if he was done with the ballot box.
Back in May 2025, he told Meet the Press that he doesn't see another run for president in his future. He’s 66 now. He seems content—or at least resolute—in his role as a "voice for conservative values" rather than a candidate. He’s mentioned that the GOP has a "deep bench" and seems more interested in being the guy who shapes the platform rather than the guy standing on the podium.
What’s on the Horizon for 2026?
So, if you’re looking for the actionable "next steps" in following his career, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Book Launch: What Conservatives Believe drops on June 2, 2026. This will likely trigger a massive media tour where he'll be forced to answer even more questions about the current state of the GOP.
- The "Anchor to Windward": That's the phrase he uses to describe his role. Watch how AAF reacts to upcoming trade policies and tariffs. Pence is a free-trade guy in a party that’s moving away from it.
- Campus Presence: His fellowships at Grove City and George Mason continue through the 2025-2026 academic year.
Basically, Mike Pence has traded the "Naval Observatory" for a lecture hall and a boardroom. He’s not in the center of the storm anymore, but he’s definitely trying to direct where the wind blows.
Next Steps for Readers:
If you want to track his specific policy stances, the Advancing American Freedom website is updated almost daily with his official statements. You can also look for his upcoming speaking dates if you're interested in hearing his take on the 2026 midterms firsthand.