History will maintain Donald Trump accountable for Jan 6, says Mike Pence

Former US Vice President Mike Pence mentioned that historical past will maintain Donald Trump accountable for his position within the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol.

Washington,UPDATED: Mar 12, 2023 10:43 IST

By Reuters: Former US Vice President Mike Pence provided his most forceful rebuke thus far of his one-time boss Donald Trump on Saturday, saying that historical past will maintain him accountable for his position within the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol.

Pence was within the Capitol when hundreds of Trump supporters breached the constructing in an try and cease Congress from certifying the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump misplaced to Joe Biden.

As the vp has the constitutional position of Senate president, Pence was presiding over what had all the time been the ceremonial activity of approving the votes of the Electoral College to pick the president and vp.

Throughout the siege, Trump despatched a number of tweets, one calling on Republicans to “fight” and others making false claims of voter fraud. He additionally criticized Pence for certifying the outcomes.

READ | Trump needed to hitch Jan 6 Capitol riot, aide spills the beans on former US President

“President Trump was wrong,” Pence advised assembled journalists and their friends on the Gridiron dinner, an annual white-tie occasion in Washington, DC.

“I had no right to overturn the election, and his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know that history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”

Pence, who’s contemplating a run for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election, was whisked to security by regulation enforcement in the course of the assault.

He has hardly ever addressed Jan. 6 within the months following the incident, however has since upped his criticism of the rioters and the conduct of his former boss that day.

He has sharply criticized Trump’s conduct in latest media interviews, and in a memoir launched in November, he accused Trump of endangering his household.

Still, Pence’s feedback on Saturday have been his most pointed thus far.

READ | Mockery of justice: Former US Prez Donald Trump slams US Congress probe into Capitol Hill riots

“What happened that day was a disgrace,” he mentioned. “And it mocks decency to portray it any other way. For as long as I live, I will never, ever diminish the injuries sustained, the lives lost, or the heroism of law enforcement on that tragic day.”

A spokesperson for Trump didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark exterior enterprise hours.

Pence’s relationship with Trump has been advanced for the reason that two left workplace, however the former vp’s feedback on Saturday point out he’s prepared to extra forcefully distance himself from Trump because the 2024 marketing campaign heats up.

His remarks got here simply days after conservative tv host Tucker Carlson aired safety footage of the Capitol assault, claiming that lots of the rioters have been “orderly.”

Carlson’s depiction of Jan. 6 was sharply criticized by Democrats and several other high-profile Republicans within the Senate, although many different Republicans – significantly within the House of Representatives – shrugged off the episode.

READ | Trump watched US Capitol riot unfold on TV, ignored pleas to name for peace

Published On:

Mar 12, 2023