Former US Vice President Mike Pence finally reacts to Trump’s January 6 tweet

Former US Vice President Mike Pence said former President Donald Trump’s words on social media during the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol were “reckless” criticizing Trump for “doing part of the problem” that day.

Pence was fiercely loyal in public through the constant controversies that have defined the Trump administration, but following the Jan. 6 riot in which Trump supporters chanted to hang Pence, and he occasionally criticized his former boss, notably in February, when he publicly denounced Trump’s election “lies”.

Trump said Pence, as vice president, had the power to unilaterally reject Electoral College votes.

But Pence said he had no right to void the election and, despite threats from Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol building, still certified the election results alongside the House of Representatives.

Pence was asked on ABC News about Trump’s tweet during the attack which said Pence lacked the “courage” to unilaterally overturn the results.

“It pissed me off,” Pence told ABC’s David Muir after a long break.

“But I turned to my daughter, who was standing nearby. And I said, ‘It doesn’t take courage to break the law, it takes courage to uphold the law.’ The president’s words were reckless. It was clear he had decided to be part of the problem,” the former vice president continued in one of his strongest rebukes to his former boss to date.

Trump, for his part, said Pence “disappointed me very badly” the day the electoral votes were certified.

The former vice president has been coy about his plans for 2024. He has long been considered a potential contender for the Republican presidential nomination, but has not officially declared a candidacy and would almost certainly face strong opposition of Trump, which he would need supporters. in primary combat.

Trump is expected to announce his 2024 campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 15, former adviser Jason Miller said during a podcast appearance.