Former Vice President Mike Pence called it “troubling” that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth halted certain U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine without informing President Donald Trump.
Pence told CNN that Trump has since reversed the unexpected pause and assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that military support would continue, as Breitbart reports.
During a Thursday appearance on CNN’s News Central, Pence responded to reports that Hegseth had authorized a delay in some arms shipments, bypassing the White House. CNN host Kate Bolduan pressed Pence on how such a major decision could happen without the president's knowledge.
Bolduan noted that it was “shocking” that such a critical move could occur without presidential approval. “Does that make any sense to you?” she asked. Pence acknowledged the rarity of the situation and called for accountability within the administration.
Pence highlighted the complexity of federal operations and explained that decisions can sometimes be made at lower bureaucratic levels. However, he emphasized that this situation was far too serious to be handled without Trump being involved.
“That one was troubling to me,” Pence said. “And my bet is it’s very troubling to the president.” He went on to say he expected Trump would fully investigate how the decision was made and by whom.
Pence said that President Trump took swift action once he became aware of the weapons shipment pause. According to Pence, Trump reversed the decision and contacted Zelensky directly.
“The most important thing is that he reversed it,” Pence stated. “And made it clear in a phone call with President Zelensky last Friday that the support’s going to continue to come.”
At the time of the interview, CNN confirmed that weapons shipments were restarting. The exact type of weapons or duration of delay was not publicly disclosed by officials.
Pence used the opportunity to advocate for expanded military support to Ukraine, calling for the inclusion of both defensive and offensive capabilities. He also emphasized the need for improved air defense systems.
“It’s not just about defensive weapons,” Pence said. He added that Ukraine needed substantial support, including tools to guard against aerial attacks and strike back effectively, as a path toward lasting peace.
The former vice president framed continued aid to Ukraine as vital to democratic principles and national interests, stressing that a lack of communication must not delay support again.
Pence’s remarks shine a spotlight on apparent gaps in the decision-making structure surrounding U.S. foreign policy and military aid. The revelation that Hegseth acted without notifying the White House has drawn increased scrutiny.
To date, the Department of Defense has not released a formal explanation. The pause appears to have been made without wider consultation, leading to questions about internal checks and balances.
With shipments now back on track, Pence emphasized that maintaining clear communication and authority lines is essential to delivering timely support and preserving trust among allies.
