Sen. J.D. Vance questions whether former Vice President Mike Pence’s life was really in danger during the storming of the Capitol by former President Donald Trump’s supporters on January 6, 2021. did.
CNN anchor Caitlan Collins told Vance (R-Ohio) on Wednesday night that the 45th president had refused to call Pence when his “life was at risk.” , asked whether he would accept a hypothetical offer to be President Trump’s running mate. Capitol Hill. “
Vance responded: “I’m very skeptical that Mike Pence’s life was ever in jeopardy.” “In politics, people sometimes like to exaggerate things a lot. I know a lot of Democratic people–“
“Mike Pence wouldn’t agree to that,” Collins interjected.
“Many Democratic Reps. Caitlan are acting as if January 6th was the scariest moment of their lives,” Vance responded. “January 6th was the worst day. It was a riot.”
Amid the unrest, Mr. Pence was escorted to a loading dock in the basement of the Capitol. According to Secret Service inspectors.Investigator claim to be a mob He came within about 40 feet of the vice president.
Vance also argued that it was “ridiculous” to suggest that President Trump “put someone’s life at risk when he told them to protest peacefully.”
In the run-up to the riot, President Trump publicly attacked Pence and called for him to reject certified electoral votes from key states.
Pence refused, claiming he lacked constitutional authority.
During the ransacking of the Capitol, chants of “hang Mike Pence” could be heard. A special House committee investigated Trump’s actions that day. heard the testimony He said he supports the backlash against the vice president.
Pence, who lost the race for the 2024 Republican nomination and withdrew last year, admonished his former boss.
“President Trump was wrong.” Mr. Pence said this at last year’s Gridiron Dinner.. “I had no right to overturn the election. And history will hold Donald Trump accountable because his reckless words put my family and everyone who was in the Capitol that day at risk.” I know it will.”
“Did Caitlan say bad things to some people? Absolutely,” Vance said Wednesday night. “But do we blame Donald Trump for every bad thing that a participant in American democracy has ever said? I think that’s an unreasonable standard.”
The Buckeye state senator did not rule out the possibility of becoming President Trump’s running mate, but stressed that he has “not spoken to Donald Trump about becoming vice president.”
“I think it’s important for us as Republicans to support President Trump because I think he was a good president.”
A spokesman for Mr. Pence did not respond to a request for comment.
