Former vice president Mike Pence, who was threatened by the “Jan. 6 hostages” with cries of “Hang Mike Pence!” as the 2021 coup attempt played out, doesn’t want Donald Trump to follow through with his pledge to free the more than 1,500 people charged in the aftermath.
“I don’t think the president should pardon anyone who assaulted a police officer at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6,” Pence said Tuesday at the Dispatch Summit, a Washington, D.C., event bringing together Republicans, Democrats and top journalists to discuss the impact of the 2024 election on the near-future.
Pence had spoken critically of Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 election, particularly with respect to the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
Pence, as VP, resisted pressure from Trump to prevent the certification of the 2020 election, a last-ditch effort of the Trump side to try to reverse a 7 million vote loss to Joe Biden.
“At the end of the day, I’ll always believe that, by God’s grace, we did our duty to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America,” said Pence, who had to hunker down in the bowels of the U.S. Capitol with his family as rioters breached the building in search of the VP and top Democrats.
“Karen and I are literally praying that President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance will stand on the commitments that they will make when they raise their right hands on that day. And with God’s grace and the support of the American people, I believe they will,” Pence said.
ICYMI: Recent Jan. 6 stories
- Virginia man sentenced to eight years in prison for Jan. 6 assault on police
- Roanoke men found guilty of felony, misdemeanor offenses in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol
- Louisa man pleads guilty to felony charge for role in violent Jan. 6 insurrection
- Southwest Virginia man arrested for two felony offenses related to Jan. 6 insurrection
- Still worth it? Virginia man who bragged about breaching doors on Jan. 6 convicted
- Montgomery County man sentenced to 40 months in prison for actions on Jan. 6
- Judge convicts Harrisonburg ‘Patriot’ who brandished knife at Jan. 6 insurrection
Share
Chris Graham
