Former Vice President Mike Pence recently engaged in a tense conversation with host Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa. The discussion touched on the legitimacy of American elections and the events of the U.S. Capitol insurrection on January 6th.
During the conversation, Carlson posed a question, acknowledging that he was not condoning any acts of violence but highlighting the anger of American citizens who believed the election was illegitimate and expressed distrust in electronic voting machines. Pence, in response, spoke of the danger he faced that day and placed the blame squarely on former President Donald Trump. He stated that while he knew his duty was clear on that fateful day, Trump’s words were reckless and endangered him, his family, and everyone present at the Capitol. Pence expressed his belief that history will hold Trump accountable for his actions, just as the law will hold those responsible for engaging in acts of violence.
It is worth noting that Tucker Carlson has been criticized for promoting conspiracy theories surrounding the January 6th insurrection. This includes the false claim that federal agents were embedded within the crowd. These claims led to a defamation lawsuit against Fox News, with Ray Epps, a central figure in Carlson’s conspiracy, as the plaintiff.
I knew that my duty was clear that day. But candidly, as I’ve said before, you know, President Trump’s words that day were reckless, I believe, whatever his intentions in that moment, it endangered me and my family and everyone that was at the Capitol that day. I believe history will hold him accountable for that just as the law will hold everyone that, that engaged in acts of violence.
The intense exchange between Pence and Carlson highlights the ongoing debate and division surrounding the events of January 6th and the role of political figures in the aftermath. As the legal and political ramifications continue to unfold, the nation grapples with the consequences and seeks accountability for the events that shook the foundations of American democracy.
