Who Was The Vice President In 2016

The 2016 Vice President Was Mike Pence — And Why That Matters More Than You Think

Here's a question that trips up a lot of people: who was the vice president in 2016? Consider this: if you were paying attention back then, the answer feels obvious. But if you're younger, or if 2016 feels like a lifetime ago (which, honestly, it kind of was), you might draw a blank.

The answer is Mike Pence. He served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, under President Donald Trump. But here's the twist that catches people off guard — Pence wasn't the running mate everyone expected. And the 2016 election itself was anything but ordinary.

Let me back up. When people ask "who was the vice president in 2016," they're usually thinking about the calendar year 2016, which means they're asking about the person who became* vice president that year. But the vice president who was actually serving during* most of 2016 was Joe Biden, under President Barack Obama. That's Pence. The transition happened in January 2017.

This confusion is totally understandable. The 2016 election was a political earthquake, and a lot happened in a very short amount of time.

What Actually Happened in 2016

The Candidates and Their Picks

The 2016 presidential race was between Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. Trump's running mate was Mike Pence, then the Governor of Indiana. Clinton's running mate was Tim Kaine, a senator from Virginia.

But here's what's interesting — Pence wasn't Trump's first choice. He reportedly liked the idea of someone with strong establishment credentials, someone who could balance his more unconventional style. And early on, Trump considered a few different people. Pence, with his long career in Congress and his reputation as a principled conservative, fit that role perfectly.

The Campaign That Broke Everything

The 2016 campaign defied nearly every prediction. Trump, a political outsider with no prior elected office, faced off against Clinton, who many assumed had the race all but won. The polls showed Clinton ahead, sometimes by significant margins, in the months leading up to the election.

But on Election Day, Trump won several key swing states — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida — that had voted Democratic in previous elections. Day to day, the result shocked the political world. Clinton won the popular vote by nearly three million votes, but lost the Electoral College decisively.

For Pence, it meant going from being a relatively low-profile governor to suddenly being one step away from the presidency.

Why the 2016 Election Still Matters

A Turning Point in American Politics

The 2016 election wasn't just about who won or lost. It was a symptom of deeper shifts in American politics — the growing divide between urban and rural America, the rise of populism on both sides of the aisle, and a widespread distrust of traditional institutions and media.

For Pence, it meant becoming the vice president of a administration that operated very differently from anything before it. Trump's style was unconventional, to say the least. He used Twitter as his primary communication tool, he openly criticized members of his own party, and he often seemed to operate without a traditional advisory structure.

Pence, by contrast, was seen as a stabilizing force. He had deep relationships in Congress, he understood how Washington worked, and he brought a level of predictability to the administration that Trump often lacked.

The Role of the Vice President in the Trump Era

Traditionally, vice presidents have had limited power. They preside over the Senate (and cast tie-breaking votes), they serve as advisors to the president, and they represent the administration at events and ceremonies. But they rarely have independent authority or influence policy in major ways.

Pence's role was complicated by Trump's management style. In practice, trump often made major decisions without consulting his vice president, and he frequently criticized Pence publicly when they disagreed. But Pence also had moments of real influence, particularly on issues like foreign policy and religious liberty.

One of the most notable moments came in January 2017, when Trump asked Pence to call the Ukrainian president and request a favor that would later become central to Trump's first impeachment. Pence refused, telling Trump that the request was inappropriate. It was a rare moment of public pushback from a vice president.

How Mike Pence's Background Shaped His Tenure

From Congress to Indiana to the White House

Before becoming vice president, Mike Pence had a long career in Washington. House of Representatives, where he was known as a conservative firebrand. S. He served six terms in the U.He was part of the Republican revolution of 1994, and he eventually became chairman of the House Republican Conference.

For more on this topic, read our article on the economic report of the president or check out opening and closing a security container form.

In 2013, Pence returned to Indiana to become governor. Still, his tenure was marked by controversy, particularly around his signing of a religious liberty law that many criticized as discriminatory toward LGBTQ+ individuals. The backlash was swift, and Pence eventually worked with state legislators to amend the law.

This experience, of having to handle between conservative principles and public pressure, would prove relevant during his time as vice president. Trump's base often expected him to take hardline positions on cultural issues, but Pence also had to consider the broader political implications.

The January 6th Aftermath

No discussion of Pence's vice presidency would be complete without addressing January 6, 2021. Practically speaking, as vice president, Pence presided over the certification of the Electoral College results in Congress. Trump, falsely claiming that the election had been stolen, pressured Pence to reject or delay the certification.

Pence refused, citing his constitutional duty and the lack of legal basis for Trump's claims. On January 6, as a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, Pence was evacuated from the building. His decision to follow the law, despite intense pressure from the president he served, became a defining moment of his tenure.

Common Questions About the 2016 Vice President

Wasn't Joe Biden Still Vice President in 2016?

Yes and no. Joe Biden was vice president for the entirety of 2016, serving under President Obama. But when people ask "who was the vice president in 2016," they're usually asking about the person who took office in 2017 after the election. That's Mike Pence.

The transition period between Biden leaving office and Pence taking office was brief — just a few weeks. But it marked the end of one era and the beginning of another, quite different one.

Why Did Trump Pick Pence?

Trump needed someone who could help him manage Washington. Pence had deep relationships with Republican members of Congress, and he brought credibility with the party establishment. Trump also needed someone who could appeal to evangelical Christians and other conservative voters who were skeptical of his candidacy.

Pence fit all of those criteria. He was a respected conservative leader, he had experience in both the executive and legislative branches, and he was seen as someone who could provide a steady hand to complement Trump's more unpredictable style.

What Actually Worked During Pence's Tenure

Building Relationships in Congress

One of Pence's strengths was his ability to work with Republican members of Congress. He had spent years building relationships in the House, and those connections proved valuable during the Trump administration's legislative efforts.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, for example, passed with virtually no Democratic support. Pence's role in building consensus among House Republicans was crucial to its passage.

Foreign Policy Experience

Pence also played a key role in several foreign policy initiatives, including the administration's approach to North Korea and the Middle East. His experience on the House Foreign Affairs Committee gave him credibility in these discussions, and he often served as a bridge between Trump's more unconventional positions and traditional diplomatic approaches.

The Legacy of the 2016 Vice Presidential Pick

Mike Pence's time as vice president was defined by the unusual nature of the Trump administration. He was often caught between his loyalty to the president and his own principles, and he made decisions that would have lasting

impact on American politics. His decision to remain in the Capitol during the January 6th insurrection, despite pressure to join Trump at the White House, demonstrated a commitment to constitutional norms that many saw as admirable, even from critics of the administration.

Pence's legacy as vice president is complex. He helped usher through major legislative achievements while also navigating unprecedented challenges to democratic traditions. His tenure highlighted the difficult position many officials face when caught between political loyalty and institutional responsibility.

The 2016 vice presidential selection ultimately proved consequential not just for Trump's presidency, but for the broader conversation about the role of the vice president in American governance. So pence's experience suggests that while the office can be used to advance an administration's agenda, it can also become a stage for moments that define democratic character under stress. His decision to uphold the electoral process, even when it meant going against his president's wishes, may well be remembered as one of the most significant uses of the vice president's constitutional duties in recent history.