He’s a disgrace! Pence blasts Trump over US Capitol riots
The former US vice president Mike Pence has criticised Donald Trump over his role in the 2021 Washington riots.
Mr Pence labelled the actions of his erstwhile boss ‘a disgrace’ and said ‘his reckless words endangered my family’.
The once-loyal lieutenant of the ex-president has shied away from speaking about the events of January 6, even though his life was put at risk.
Mr Trump had pressured him to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory that day as he presided over the ceremonial certification of the results at the Capitol. But when Mr Pence refused, Trump- supporting rioters stormed the building – with some chanting that they wanted to ‘hang Mike Pence’.
The house of Representatives committee that investigated the attack said in its final report that ‘the President of the United States had riled up a mob that hunted his own vice president’.
Mr Pence is thought to be preparing to run for the Republican nomination. Mr Trump has already declared his candidacy.
Speaking at the annual white-tie Gridiron Dinner attended by politicians and journalists at the weekend, Mr Pence said: ‘Donald Trump was wrong.
‘I had no right to overturn the election. I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.’
he added: ‘Make no mistake about it, what happened that day was a disgrace. 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.’ his remarks may help solidify a possible base among moderate Republicans who want to move on from the political extremes and scandals of the Trump era. Mr Trump, meanwhile, has continued to spread the myth that he did not actually lose the election to Democrat Mr Biden. he has even spoken in support of the rioters and said he would consider pardoning them if re-elected.
Speeches at the Gridiron Dinner are usually humorous affairs where politicians poke fun at each other, and Mr Pence also took shots at Mr Trump over classified documents found at his Florida home. he said: ‘I read that some of those classified documents they found at Mar-a-Lago were actually stuck in the President’s Bible.
‘Which proves he had absolutely no idea they were there.’
hinting at his own potential run for the White house, he joked: ‘I will wholeheartedly, unreservedly support the Republican nominee for president in 2024 – if it’s me.’