Former Vice President Mike Pence is recruiting senior staff from the Heritage Foundation to his Advancing American Freedom group after controversies over comments defending Tucker Carlson’s interview with Nick Fuentes. Pence says the defections reflect a shift at Heritage toward big‑government populism and tolerance of antisemitism. Up to 15 employees — including John Malcolm (who plans to bring seven team members), Kevin Dayaratna and Richard Stern — are reported to be moving to Pence’s organization. Heritage says its mission is unchanged and called some departures disloyal; the moves followed law professor Josh Blackman’s resignation.
Mike Pence Recruits Senior Heritage Foundation Staff Amid Antisemitism Backlash
Mike Pence
Former Vice President Mike Pence has begun recruiting senior officials from the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation to join his policy group, Advancing American Freedom, after a string of high‑profile controversies at Heritage.
Pence told The Washington Post that several Heritage staffers are defecting because the think tank’s ideology has shifted in ways that make it difficult for them to remain. "Why these people are coming our way is that Heritage and some other voices and commentators have embraced big‑government populism and have been willing to tolerate antisemitism," he said.
Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts drew intense criticism in October after defending Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Roberts’ forceful defense was condemned by many conservatives and prompted multiple resignations within the organization.
According to reports, as many as fifteen Heritage employees are expected to join Pence’s Washington‑based group. Confirmed or reported moves include:
- John Malcolm, head of Heritage’s Legal and Judicial Studies Center — reportedly bringing seven members of his team;
- Kevin Dayaratna, head of Heritage’s data analysis center;
- Richard Stern, director of Heritage’s economic policy studies institute.
Heritage’s chief advancement officer Andy Olivastro pushed back in a statement: "Our mission is unchanged, and our leadership is strong and decisive. Heritage has always welcomed debate, but alignment on mission and loyalty to the institution are non‑negotiable. A handful of staff chose a different path—some through disruption, others through disloyalty."
The reported departures followed a high‑profile resignation: law professor Josh Blackman announced he was leaving Heritage a day earlier, publishing a critical letter that described Roberts’ defense of Carlson as "indefensible" and said his continued affiliation with the foundation had become untenable.
Analysts say the episode underscores growing tensions within conservative institutions over strategy, ideology and standards of discourse, and could reshape personnel and policy debates on the right.
