Heritage exodus boosts Mike Pence policy group
More than a dozen senior staffers from the Heritage Foundation are leaving the powerful conservative think tank to join former Vice President Mike Pence’s Advancing American Freedom, amid internal backlash over Heritage president Kevin Roberts’ defense of Tucker Carlson’s interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. AAF president Tim Chapman told NPR the group raised $13 million in two weeks toward a $15 million goal to fund the new hires’ salaries over three years, nearly doubling AAF’s staff as it positions itself as a home for traditional, policy‑focused conservatism in contrast to a MAGA movement centered on personalities. Heritage’s chief advancement officer called the departures an act of “disloyalty” but said they clear the way for a “stronger, more focused team” as other anti‑antisemitism allies distance themselves from the think tank.
📌 Key Facts
- More than a dozen Heritage Foundation staffers, including legal, economic and data leaders, are departing to join Mike Pence’s Advancing American Freedom (AAF).
- AAF president Tim Chapman says the group raised $13 million in two weeks toward a $15 million, three‑year funding goal to cover salaries for the incoming staffers, expanding AAF from 18 to over 30 employees.
- The exits follow controversy over Heritage president Kevin Roberts releasing, then apologizing for, a video defending Tucker Carlson’s friendly interview with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, and a separate antisemitism task force cutting ties with Heritage.
- Heritage official Andy Olivastro accused some departing staff of 'disloyalty' and said their exit 'clears the way for a stronger, more focused team.'
- Chapman says AAF aims to champion traditional conservative priorities like low taxes, strong national defense and limited regulation as the right debates its identity beyond Trump‑era personality politics.