'We'll never see eye to eye on that day': Mike Pence reveals split with Donald Trump over MAGA riot that forced his family to hide - but says the 'dark day' should not be used to discredit Americans who voted for him
Mike Pence said on Thursday he doubted he would ever 'see eye to eye' with Donald Trump about the Capitol insurrection, but insisted he was proud to have served as his vice president.
MAGA rioters stormed the Capitol building on January 6 as the then-Vice President was ratifying the result of the 2020 election, with some chanting: 'Hang Mike Pence!' when he said he did not have the power to overturn Joe Biden's victory.
Pence, his wife Karen and daughter Charlotte were hurried to a secure facility with seconds to spare, as protesters rampaged through the building and came within yards of breaching the Senate chamber.
But Trump and his allies have played down the seriousness of the riot, with representative Andrew Clyde saying it was like a 'normal tourist visit.'
Speaking at a Republican fundraiser Pence said: 'You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I don't know if we'll ever see eye to eye on that day.
'As I said that day, Jan. 6 was a dark day in history of the United States Capitol. But thanks to the swift action of the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement, violence was quelled. The Capitol was secured.
'And that same day, we reconvened the Congress and did our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States.'
Former Vice President Mike Pence is seen speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Thursday night, at the annual Hillsborough County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. Pence said he does not think he will ever 'see eye-to-eye' with Donald Trump about the January 6 riot - his first comments on the insurrection that saw him evacuated from the Capitol
Dramatic new footage showed Vice President Mike Pence, his wife and his daughter being removed to safety as MAGA mob crowds spread throughout the building
Yet the 61-year-old told Republicans that he would 'always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years.'
Striking a defiant note, Pence said he would not let Democrats use 'one tragic day' to discredit millions of Americans who backed Trump.
He said: 'I will not allow Democrats or their allies in the media to use one tragic day to discredit the aspirations of millions of Americans.
'Or allow Democrats or their allies in the media to distract our attention from a new administration intent on dividing our country to advance their radical agenda.
'My fellow Republicans, for our country, for our future, for our children and our grandchildren, we must move forward, united.'
Pence's remarks at a Republican dinner in New Hampshire provide his most extensive comments to date on the events of January 6.
It was a rare departure for Pence, who spent four years standing loyally beside his boss amid controversy, investigation and impeachment.
The government has said in court filings that in addition to the more than 400 people who had already been charged, federal prosecutors still expect to charge at least 100 more.
Hundreds of Trump supporters swarmed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, ransacking the building and chanting 'Hang Mike Pence'. Pence was targeted because he refused to overthrow the results of the November election, and oversaw their certification that day
Pence is seen looking on as Trump sits at the Resolute Desk on September 4. Pence is weighing up a run for the presidency in 2024, but it will likely depend on whether Trump decides to run again
Protesters angry at Trump's electoral loss are seen storming the Capitol. Many were baying for Pence's blood and vowing to hunt him down
His speech Thursday comes as Pence considers his own potential 2024 White House run and as Republicans, some of whom were angry at Trump in the days after the January 6 insurrection, have largely coalesced back around the former president.
Pence praised Trump several times during his nearly 35-minute speech at the Hillsborough County Republican Committee's annual Lincoln-Reagan Awards Dinner in Manchester.
He tried to turn the events of January 6 back around on Democrats, saying they wanted to keep the insurrection in the news to divert attention from Biden's liberal agenda.
He accused Biden of campaigning as a moderate but becoming the most liberal president since President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
'After 134 days, where the Biden administration and Democrats in Washington have been pushing open borders, higher taxes, runaway spending, more government, defunding the police, abandoning the right to life, censuring free speech, cancelling our most cherished liberties, I came here to say enough is enough,' said Pence.
'I came here to say the time is now for every patriotic American who shares our ideals and values to stand up and fight back against the agenda of the radical left.'
He said the administration forced through Congress 'a COVID bill to fund massive expansion of the welfare state' and was pushing a 'so-called infrastructure bill' that was really a 'thinly disguised climate change bill' funded with cuts in the military and historic tax increases.
'I just say enough is enough,' he said, adding that 'we're going to stand strong for freedom.'
Pence also hit upon several favorite themes of conservative Republicans, emphasizing the need for states to shore up voter integrity around the country.
'It's time we recognize that election integrity is a national imperative, but a state responsibility,' Pence said to a standing ovation.
'After an election that saw several states around the country literally set aside election laws enacted by state legislatures - now is the time for states to ensure one person, one vote.'
He also praised law enforcement as heroes, and seemed to hit out at the Black Lives Matter movement which has campaigned against police targeting of black people.
He said: 'Black lives are not endangered by police. Black lives are saved by police every day.'
Pence's remarks in New Hampshire mark his first significant comments on the January 6 insurrection, and a rare disagreement with his former boss - who he said he speaks to regularly
Pence, right, waves alongside Chris Sununu, the governor of New Hampshire. Sununu introduced Pence to deliver the address on Thursday in Manchester
He also pushed back against 'critical race theory,' which seeks to reframe the narrative of American history.
'America is not a racist country,' he said, prompting one of several standing ovations and cheers during his speech.
'It is past time for America to discard the left-wing myth of systemic racism.
'I commend state legislators and governors across the country for banning critical race theory from our schools.'
Proponents of critical race theory argue that federal law has preserved the unequal treatment of people on the basis of race and that the country was founded on the theft of land and labor.
But Republicans have said concepts suggesting that people are inherently racist or that America was founded on racial oppression are divisive and have no place in the classroom.
At least five Republican-controlled state legislatures have passed bans on critical race theory or related topics in recent months, and conservatives in at least nine other states are pressing for similar measures.
'One of the most disturbing developments of the past few months has been the Biden Administration's wholehearted embrace of the radical left's all-encompassing assault on American culture and values,' Pence said.
'Under the Biden Administration, patriotic education has been replaced with political indoctrination.
'They abolished the 1776 Commission and authorized teaching Critical Race Theory in public schools. Instead of teaching all children to be proud of their country, Critical Race Theory teaches children as young as kindergarten to be ashamed of the color of their skin.'
Pence has already spoken in South Carolina, as part of a tour that is seen as being designed to test the waters for a possible 2024 bid. Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, and Mike Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, are also believed to be considering running
His choice of states, including an April appearance in South Carolina, is aimed at increasing his visibility as he considers whether to run for the White House in 2024.
Trump is increasingly acting and talking like he plans to make a run as he sets out on a more public phase of his post-presidency, beginning with a speech on Saturday in North Carolina.
Since leaving office in January, Pence has been doing work with the Heritage Foundation and Young America's Foundation.
His team said he plans more trips, including stops in Texas, California and Michigan.
Along with his visits to South Carolina and New Hampshire, Pence has been hitting the fundraising circuit. He is set to speak next week at another fundraiser hosted by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, will travel to North Carolina for a Heritage Foundation donor event, and will then head to California, where he will take part in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute's speakers' series, a Republican National Committee donor retreat and a Young America's Foundation event, according to aides.
Among other prominent Republicans, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said in April that she would stand down if Trump decided to run in 2024.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has undertaken an aggressive schedule, visiting states that will play a pivotal role in the 2024 primaries and signing a contract with Fox News Channel.
Yep, and now playing with words trying to get back Trumpers grace. Not today Judas...
ReplyDeleteSorry Pence you're an @ss
ReplyDeleteEye to eye? Little Pence would have to look UP,to be eye to KNEECAP of Trump!
ReplyDelete