Former VP Mike Pence ‘heartened’ as trans former CIA briefer praises his treatment

Former Vice President Mike Pence said he’s “heartened” that former CIA officer Julia Curlee, who is trans, had nice things to say about working with him. This is despite the fact that Pence has a long history of opposing LGBTQ+ policies. 

Pence served as vice president from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. Curlee was Pence’s daily intelligence briefer during Trump’s first term. She joined the CIA in 2007 and became the first officer at the agency to transition openly and continue serving.

In a recently published first-hand account of her experience for The Atlantic, Curlee reflected on her time with the high-profile figures. 

She recounted Pence being very professional in meetings and even inviting her family to the White House after her assignment ended. 

The pairing is rather surprising, especially considering Pence had dedicated his career to opposing marriage equality, trans military service and LGBTQ+ rights. Curlee even went as far as to write: “No one has affirmed my gender identity quite like Mike Pence.”

Curlee also told MS Now that Pence treated her with “profound respect and dignity”.

Speaking with CNN, Pence said that he appreciates the “kind words” from Curlee.

‘Trump officials had known I was trans from day one’

“My conservative values are fairly well-known, but maybe some people didn’t quite know that among our Christian values is, my wife,and I believe in treating others the way that we’d like to be treated, with decency and respect.”

He continued: “I was heartened to hear Julia reflect that that was the experience that took place in our office.”

Curlee’s article reveals more details about her time in Trump’s government. She declared: “Trump officials had known I was trans from day one.”

After serving as a National Security Council director under Joe Biden’s White House, she remained while Trump returned to office.

However, that’s when things changed. Upon Trump’s return, he signed an executive order directing the federal government to recognise only two sexes. In doing so, Trump banned Curlee from restrooms in all federal buildings.

Curlee writes: “Then these leaders stripped my insurance coverage for the estrogen that keeps me healthy, voided my discrimination protections, and declared me “male” to foreign governments on my passport. I would keep briefing them anyway.

Soon after, Curlee was told her White House assignment was over. Soon after, she saw far-right voice Laura Loomer had posted about a transgender “Biden holdover” inside the White House.

Curlee doesn’t claim Loomer or Trump personally ordered her removal because she’s trans. However, she was never given an official reason.

Towards the conclusion of her piece, Curlee wrote: “I cannot in good conscience advise LGBTQ Americans to join the CIA – and that sentence is the hardest thing I have ever written.

“Those who remain within an agency built to deliver hard truths are being muzzled.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.