Pence: Trump's Jan. 6 Tweet About Me 'Angered' Me

Former VP tells ABC that former president's actions during Capitol riot were 'reckless'
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 14, 2022 8:22 AM CST
Updated Nov 14, 2022 8:27 AM CST

Mike Pence hasn't said much about what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, specifically on how he felt about former President Trump's remarks before and during the riot at the US Capitol. That changed over the weekend with the release of part of an interview the ex-vice president gave to ABC News' David Muir, in which Pence expressed his anger toward his former boss over that chaotic day. Muir asked Pence how he felt as the attack unfolded upon hearing that Trump had issued a tweet railing against Pence, who "didn't have the courage to do what should have been done" in terms of refusing to certify the election for Joe Biden.

After an extended silence, Pence, who ABC News notes has a memoir coming out Tuesday, told Muir that the tweet had "angered" him. He said that after hearing what Trump had posted, he turned to his daughter, who was with him at the Capitol that day, and told her, "It doesn't take courage to break the law. It takes courage to uphold the law." He then added to Muir: "I mean, the president's words were reckless. It was clear he decided to be part of the problem. ... The president's words that day at the rally [before the riot] endangered me and my family and everyone at the Capitol building."

The Pence-Muir interview, which took place at Pence's home in Indiana, also included Muir pressing Pence on what he thinks about Trump possibly being in the Oval Office again, if Pence himself wants to run, and if Trump is partly to blame for the GOP's failures during the midterms, per ABC. Politico notes that more of the sit-down with Pence and Muir is set to be released Monday. (More Mike Pence stories.)

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