Former Vice President Mike Pence at the weekend harshly criticized his former boss Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 invasion of US Capitol, widening the rift between the two men as they prepare to battle it out over the Republican nomination ticket in next year’s election.
“President Trump was wrong,” Pence said during remarks at the annual white-tie Gridiron Dinner attended by politicians and journalists. “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 history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”
The former VP’s remarks were the sharpest condemnation yet from the once-loyal lieutenant who has often shied away from confronting his former boss.
Trump has already declared his candidacy but Pence has not, although he has been laying the groundwork to run.
In the days leading up to January 6, 2021, Trump pressured Pence to overturn President Joe Biden’s election victory as he presided over the ceremonial certification of the results but Pence refused, and when rioters stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to “hang Mike Pence.”
The House 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.”
Writing by Tersoo Nicholas