During a recent appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, former Vice President Mike Pence was questioned by host Dana Bash about his views on Donald Trump’s recent threatening comments towards Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is investigating the events connected to the January 6 Capitol riot. Bash expressed her surprise at Pence’s lack of greater concern over Trump’s ominous messaging, especially regarding his warning about potential reactions from his supporters if he is indicted over his conduct during the 2020 election.
Bash asked Pence whether he thought Trump should be charged if the Justice Department can prove that he committed a crime by using his election lies to incite his supporters towards the lawlessness witnessed on January 6. In response, Pence defended Trump’s right to free speech under the First Amendment and expressed confidence in the American people and those within his political movement, stating that the majority of them are patriotic law-abiding citizens who would never engage in violent actions.
However, Bash found Pence’s answer surprising, particularly in light of the fact that Pence himself was in danger during the January 6 attack, with some of Trump’s supporters even calling for his harm.
Bash pointed out the irony of Pence not being concerned about such rhetoric, given the close call he had on January 6. Pence objected to Bash’s remark, stating that there is an effort to use a broad brush to describe everyone in their political movement as violent perpetrators, which he believes is unfair. Bash clarified that she was referring to the potential to incite those who were incited on January 6, rather than making broad generalizations about everyone who supported Pence and Trump.
Well, it doesn’t worry me because I have more confidence in the American people and in the people in our movement. Look, it was one of the things that infuriated me on January 6 with what I saw, people ransacking the Capitol and engaging in violence against law enforcement officers. Dana, I just — I would say not just the majority, but virtually everyone in our movement are the kinds of Americans who love this country, who are patriotic and law and order people who would never have done anything like that there or anywhere else. So I don’t — I have more confidence in the American people than that.
That’s pretty remarkable that you’re not concerned about it, given the fact that they wanted to hang you on January 6.
