Former Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff said Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election was “wrong,” but he would not say whether the act warrants criminal prosecution. avoided.
Mark Short, who now heads Pence’s political advocacy group, condemned Trump’s actions but did not endorse them. new indictment Special Counsel Jack Smith filed Tuesday. He suggested that Pence felt the same way.
“These allegations are genuine and the reality is that Donald Trump asked the Vice President to prioritize him over the Vice President’s oath to the Constitution,” Short said in an interview with CNN Wednesday. said.
Short said Pence, who is running against Trump in the Republican presidential primary, feels the former president should not be tried by the justice system.
“I want the American people to bring justice to Donald Trump and what he did that day, not a criminal system that many on the right feel is partisan and has a two-tiered justice system. Let it go,” Short said. , characterizes Pence’s opinion.
5 takeaways from Trump’s indictment of trying to overturn the 2020 election
After being indicted on Tuesday, Mr Pence issued his own statement.
“Today’s indictment is an important reminder,” Mr. Pence said.
“Our country is more important than a single person. Our Constitution is more important than anyone’s career. On Jan. 6, former President Trump asked me to choose between myself and the Constitution.” I chose the constitution and will continue to do so,” he added.
The indictment explained how Mr. Trump accepted rigged electoral votes and repeatedly asked Mr. Pence to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and how Mr. Pence refused each time. “You are too honest,” Trump once said.
Short also said Pence had no additional information to add to the criminal case and was unlikely to be called to testify at any trial.
“He’s certainly at the center of this issue, but a lot of what he says is public,” Short said.
Everything Pence has to share is already in the vice president’s memoir, he added.
Trump indicted with six co-conspirators On Tuesday, the charges included conspiring to defraud the United States and obstructing official process.
The new indictment will be Trump’s third. New York Corporate Application Litigation And the second federal lawsuit ended Suspicion of improper handling of confidential documents After leaving the White House.
a Georgia investigation President Trump’s alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election in the state is expected to hinge on whether he indicts the former president in the coming weeks.
In a statement Tuesday, Mr Pence promised to restore the dignity of the White House if elected.
“As President, I will stand firm in defending America, the American people, and our values, and I pledge to do so in a manner consistent with the Constitution and my oath to the character and decency of the American people. ‘,’ he wrote.
Pence recently finished fourth National poll average In the Republican primary, the approval rating is about 4%. Trump has an overwhelming lead with an approval rating of about 53%.
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