Washington — Mike Pence, the former Vice President, made it clear on Sunday that he finds the recent comments by former President Donald Trump concerning the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack defendants to be inappropriate.
Pence expressed his concerns during an appearance on “Face the Nation.” He criticized the notion of calling individuals going through the legal process “hostages,” especially at a time when American hostages are actually being held in Gaza. He emphasized that such comparisons are simply not acceptable.
At a rally in Ohio on Saturday, Trump played a song reportedly recorded by a choir of prisoners charged in relation to the Jan. 6 events. He referred to these individuals as “hostages,” lamenting their poor treatment and hinted at plans to address their situation soon.
Pence, who was himself a target of the rioters on Jan. 6 as he was about to certify President Biden’s victory, shared with Margaret Brennan his belief that some participants in the attack might have been swept up in the moment. He acknowledged their right to due process but condemned the violence against police officers and the resulting loss of life as tragic.
“I’ll never downplay it,” Pence stated.
This discussion follows Pence’s announcement on Friday that he will not be endorsing Donald Trump. He reiterated his stance on Sunday, stating his inability to endorse Trump in good conscience.
Pence pointed out that his decision stems from more than just their differences over Jan. 6. He criticized Trump for deviating from the traditional conservative values that have shaped the Republican Party for the last four decades, values Pence believes are crucial for America’s future.
Previously, Pence had abandoned his own presidential campaign after failing to gain sufficient traction. His decision not to support Trump marks a significant shift from earlier in the primary campaign when he indicated he would back Trump as the nominee, even if Trump were convicted of a crime.
As of last week, Trump and President Biden have emerged as the presumptive nominees for their respective parties, setting the stage for the upcoming election.