More than a dozen staff members are parting ways with The Heritage Foundation, a significant player in conservative circles, to join a nonprofit spearheaded by former Vice President Mike Pence. This move comes as the think tank grapples with internal strife and a recent scandal that has sparked widespread controversy.

Advancing American Freedom (AAF), established by Pence in 2021 to champion policies fostering a robust America, recently announced the recruitment of three key Heritage officials who managed the legal, economic, and data departments. These individuals, along with their teams, are set to transition to AAF next year.

The Heritage Foundation has been in the headlines following a contentious period marked by the departure of numerous staff and a scandal involving Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. This controversy stirred debates on antisemitism within the conservative movement and led to several high-profile criticisms of Heritage’s leadership decisions, particularly those made by its President Kevin Roberts.

Roberts drew severe criticism after endorsing a controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, despite the backlash. In a subsequent all-staff meeting, Roberts admitted to making a "mistake" and expressed his intent to rectify the situation, a response that was met with skepticism and labeled as insufficient by critics like legal scholar Josh Blackman, who resigned in protest.

Amidst these departures, Pence’s AAF appears to be positioning itself as a central figure in conservative politics. “AAF is honored to welcome these principled conservative scholars to the team,” stated Pence, who emphasized their dedication to the Constitution and conservative values.

Meanwhile, Heritage insists on its stability and mission focus. Andrew Olivastro, Chief Advancement Officer, remarked that while the institution values debate, it demands alignment and loyalty. He disclosed that some departing staff were terminated due to behavior not aligning with Heritage’s standards, suggesting these exits could streamline and strengthen their team.

Notably, the exodus includes the formation of new initiatives under AAF such as the Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law and the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise, which will incorporate several former Heritage experts.

The shakeup at Heritage and the growing influence of AAF reflect broader currents within the GOP, as figures like Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and other prominent conservatives publicly spar over the direction and values of the party. This ongoing turmoil underscores the challenges and ideological battles facing conservative institutions in America today.