Washington — Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed his disapproval on Sunday regarding former President Donald Trump's recent remarks about individuals facing charges in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, deeming them as "unacceptable."
"I think it's very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza, that the President or any other leader will refer to people that are moving through our justice system as hostages," Pence stated on "Face the Nation." "It's just unacceptable."
- Transcript: Former Vice President Mike Pence on "Face the Nation," March 17, 2024
During an Ohio rally on Saturday, the former president made an appearance to a song reportedly performed by a choir of prisoners facing charges related to the events of Jan. 6. Trump labeled these individuals as "hostages," highlighting their alleged mistreatment and indicating plans to address the situation in the near future.
Pence, who was a target of rioters on Jan. 6 for as he was set to certify President Biden's win that day, told Margaret Brennan that he has "no doubt" that some people involved in the Jan. 6 attack were "caught up in the moment and entered the Capitol." He then noted that those individuals are entitled to due process. But he added that "the assaults on police officers, ultimately an environment that claimed lives, is something that I think was tragic."
"I'll never diminish it," Pence said.
The former vice president noted that while Jan. 6 is among the differences between himself and Trump, the reasons he says he will not endorse Trump go further.
"For me, the reason why I won't endorse Donald Trump this year is because I see him departing from the mainstream conservative agenda that has defined the Republican Party over the last 40 years, and still has the best hope for the future of the country," Pence said.
Pence abandoned his own presidential campaign months ago, as his White House bid struggled to take off. The decision not to endorse Trump appears to be a departure from early in the primary campaign. At the time, Pence raised his hand during a GOP debate to signal that he would support the former president as the party's nominee even if he were convicted of a crime.
Trump and President Biden last week became the presumptive nominees of their respective parties.
