Mike Pence’s Advancing American Freedom Surges as Heritage Foundation Staff Defect Amid Conservative Rift

Heritage Foundation Turmoil Sends Leaders to Pence’s Camp

In a move that has shaken Washington’s conservative establishment, more than a dozen senior staffers at the Heritage Foundation, one of the nation’s most influential right-leaning think tanks, have resigned en masse to join Advancing American Freedom, the nonprofit founded by former Vice President Mike Pence. This exodus, announced on December 22, 2025, includes key figures from Heritage’s legal, economic, and data teams, dramatically expanding the scope and influence of Pence’s organization.

The departures come at a time of intense internal strife for Heritage. The think tank, long a pillar of traditional conservatism, has been embroiled in controversy since its president, Kevin Roberts, publicly defended former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for conducting a friendly interview with Nick Fuentes, an avowed white nationalist. Roberts’ comments, which rejected calls to ‘cancel’ Carlson despite expressing personal abhorrence for Fuentes’ views, sparked outrage both inside and outside the foundation.

The Conservative Divide: Populists vs. Traditionalists

Roberts’ stance led to accusations that Heritage was giving cover to the rising tide of antisemitism and extremist rhetoric on the right, a concern voiced by departing staffers and outside observers alike. Josh Blackman, editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, openly criticized Roberts in his resignation letter, warning that the comments had alienated core contributors and undermined Heritage’s ability to promote the rule of law. “Heritage came to a crashing halt after your infamous video,” Blackman wrote, signaling the depth of the internal fracture.

On social media, speculation mounted about further resignations, while outside groups—including a task force focused on fighting antisemitism—cut ties with Heritage over the controversy. The foundation’s role in shaping the Trump administration’s Project 2025, a conservative policy playbook, only heightened scrutiny as the ideological battle between populist influencers and traditional conservatives intensified.

Pence’s Organization Steps Into the Breach

For Advancing American Freedom (AAF), the timing could not have been better. Led by Mike Pence and president Tim Chapman, AAF announced it had raised $13 million in just two weeks specifically to recruit the departing Heritage talent. The infusion of experienced scholars and leaders, including John Malcom, vice president of Heritage’s Institute for Constitutional Government; Richard Stern, acting director of the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies; and Kevin Dayaratna, director of the Center for Data Analysis, instantly elevated AAF’s profile.

“AAF is honored to welcome these principled conservative scholars to the team,” Pence said in a statement, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to traditional conservative values amid what he called a “growing chasm” in the movement. The hires nearly doubled AAF’s staff, from 18 to over 30, and signaled its intent to fill what Chapman described as a “gap within the modern conservative movement.” The group is now positioning itself as the ascendant hub for conservatives disenchanted with the populist turn at Heritage and elsewhere.

Reshaping the Conservative Landscape for 2025

For Pence, the surge in support is a double-edged sword. While he is hailed as a martyr among traditional conservatives for certifying the 2020 election results against Donald Trump’s wishes, far-right factions have labeled him a traitor. Nevertheless, the influx of Heritage talent gives AAF the credibility and research muscle to influence policy debates heading into the 2026 election cycle.

The implications for the broader conservative movement are significant. Heritage’s turbulence and the high-profile defections highlight a generational and ideological struggle that shows no signs of abating. As AAF grows, it may attract more disaffected conservatives seeking a steadier platform for policy advocacy and research, while Heritage confronts the challenge of rebuilding trust and relevance among its base.

• The mass resignations follow internal disputes over leadership and public statements defending controversial figures.
• AAF has rapidly expanded, buoyed by millions in new fundraising and a strategic influx of veteran scholars.
• Conservative policy circles are watching closely, as the reshuffle could impact key legislative and electoral strategies in the coming years.

The facts reveal a conservative movement at a crossroads, where the battle over values and leadership is no longer confined to election cycles but is being fought in the very institutions that shape policy and ideas. As Mike Pence’s Advancing American Freedom steps into the spotlight, it does so not just as a refuge for displaced scholars, but as a symbol of the deep realignment underway among American conservatives. The coming months will test whether AAF can translate its new talent and resources into lasting influence—or whether the movement’s divides will only deepen.