White House hopeful Mike Pence backs country-wide ban on life-saving healthcare for trans kids

Former vice president Mike Pence has launched a 2024 presidential bid, beginning with an attack on trans athletes and gender-affirming care.

Pence, who served as vice president under Donald Trump from 2016 to 2020, officially announced his candidacy on Wednesday (7 June), meaning he will now be battling for the presidency against his former boss, as well as Florida governor Ron DeSantis. 

The former VP, who has consistently shown opposition to the LGBTQ+ community during his political career, said he “strongly supports” legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors, stating that if he wins the presidency he will end “politically correct nonsense”. 

During CNN’s town hall for Republican candidates, Pence said: “I strongly support state legislation, including, as we did in Indiana, that bans all gender transition, chemical or surgical procedures, under the age of 18.”