Trump’s comprehensive inexperience leaves a void that Pence will be happy to fill.
Many people have suggested that Pence will eventually try to oust Trump in a bid for power, or that Congressional Republicans will look to impeach Trump to install Pence. This gets Pence completely wrong.
Pence does not operate on ego. To the contrary: He will use the relative obscurity of the vice-presidency to enact the radical agenda which has been the centerpiece of his political career.
Pence will work, as quietly as possible, with the Republican majorities in the House and Senate to pass horrifically regressive legislation. Both he and Congressional Republicans will be blissfully content to operate outside the glaring spectacle of Trump, who will be enormously useful in sucking up all the media attention.
I do not believe that Congress will impeach Trump; in fact, I think Pence will make sure they do not, for that very reason.
Pence is smart enough to realize that he has more power without scrutiny.
And he is perfectly positioned to simultaneously: Assist Trump with his awful executive agenda; support Congress in their sinister legislative aims; and work with the Cabinet (which he has clearly shaped) to destroy every federal agency.
Why would he want attention that might undercut his enormous power at the center of this triangle? Trust this: He doesn’t.
Which is why I will say once more: Pence would like nothing more than our inattention — and that is precisely why we must keep our eyes on him.