Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) stated on Sunday that his decision not to support former President Trump’s bid for re-election is about Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021, as well as his departure from conservative principles.
“The matter of loyalty to the Constitution is important, but it’s not just that,” Pence told CBS News’s Margaret Brennan in an interview on “Face the Nation.”
“The reason that I can't endorse Donald Trump this year is also related to the fact that he is turning away not only from the Constitution on that day, but also from a commitment to fiscal responsibility, the sanctity of life, and American leadership in the world,” Pence told Brennan.
Pence mentioned Trump’s recent change in position on the potential TikTok ban.
“I mean, the President’s change in position on TikTok just last week — after an administration where we significantly altered the national agreement on China — is why, after a lot of thought, I came to the conclusion that I can't support the agenda Donald Trump is bringing to this national debate.”
Trump, the likely 2024 GOP presidential candidate, made great efforts in 2020 to remain in office after losing the election. Some of his actions were public, while others allegedly occurred in private.
Trump’s public campaign to pressure Pence, as the vice president, to reject certain states’ electors when fulfilling his ceremonial duty to count them, was met with public backlash. Pence faced a wave of criticism, and on Jan. 6, 2021, some individuals in the agitated crowd outside the Capitol set up a gallows and chanted, “Hang Mike Pence!”
During the Sunday interview, Pence reiterated that he has forgiven Trump for the pressure campaign and his role in the events of that day, but he still takes his commitment to upholding the constitution seriously.
“The President and I have deep differences. Many people believe it's just about January 6 — and frankly, the fact that the President still insists that I had the right to overturn the election that day is a fundamental difference. But I want to clarify that, you know, I've forgiven the president in my heart for what happened that day. As a Christian, I’m obligated to do that. I've prayed for him in that regard,” Pence said.
Pence was asked more than once if he would vote for Trump — even if he’s not formally endorsing the former president — and Pence avoided giving a direct answer.
“I won’t be endorsing Donald Trump this year,” he replied instead.
