Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday defended his decision to ignore alleged pressure from former President Donald Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021.

“You see, the president was convinced in December that he denied me the electoral vote, even though no president, vice president, had ever claimed that right in the history of America. It seemed to me that the vice president or any individual should never have the right to elect the president of the United States,” Pence said. Said CNN’s Dana Bash.

“The office of the president is for the American people, and only for the American people. The lawyer suggested that the ballot be returned to the state, but frankly, if I remember correctly, the day before Jan. I told them to refuse outright.This is what they were asking me to overturn.I had no right to overturn the election,” Pence claimed. (Related: ‘You did exactly the right thing’: Former Trump official praises Mike Pence for endorsing 2020 election results)

When Pence launched his own campaign for the presidency in June 2023, Pence similarly claimed that President Trump “demanded” on January 6. [he] choose between him [the] The Constitution claimed that President Trump’s “reckless remarks” endangered not only himself and his family, but everyone in the Capitol.

Pence claimed Trump was entitled to a presumption of innocence for his actions on Jan. 6, but said he was “confident” Trump’s lawyers would respond to the First Amendment. He said he had some concerns.

“I want the American people to know that President Trump was wrong then and is wrong now when I had no right to overturn the election,” Pence said. “He has fulfilled his constitutional obligations,” he said, adding that “President Trump has always been wrong.” Intention. “