The 2020 presidential election’s outcome led to tension between former President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, both of whom were once close allies.
Trump asked Pence to disregard Electoral College votes that he believed to be fraudulent. However, the then-vice president made it clear this was not something he could legally do.
Later, Trump would go on to take swipes at Pence, accusing him of lacking “courage.” For months after Pence and Trump left the White House, the former vice president stayed relatively quiet about Trump.
Though within recent months, Pence has been more outspoken regarding tensions between himself and Trump, along with his issues concerning how Trump’s conducted himself.
In a new interview, the former vice president alleges that Trump pressured him to break his oath of office, per Breitbart News.
Reviewing the Latest Claims From Pence
While speaking with Meet the Press, the former vice president spoke of “tension” when he convened with Trump less than 24 hours before the January 6 riots. Pence said on the 5th, Trump pointed to a group of his supporters gathering outside of the White House, saying they loved him.
It was at this point when Pence told Meet the Press that he questioned Trump on whether the crowd he was referencing also loved the Constitution.
Good Sunday evening—
After former President Trump announces he will run for president in 2024, former Vice President Pence sits down with us to explain his public break with Trump.
The biggest question is: will Republicans rally behind Donald Trump yet again? pic.twitter.com/Yabr6zOmcH
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) November 21, 2022
According to the former vice president, he did not have the authority to not accept Electoral College votes once the House of Representatives gathered in order to count them.
Pence then said had he done what Trump asked of him — rejecting votes from the Electoral College that Trump deemed as illegitimate — he would have breached the oath of office that he swore to.
When later asked if he believes Trump is fit to be president again, Pence claimed this is a decision for the American people to make.
The former vice president, in previous remarks, also stated he thinks the Republican Party will have better nominee choices than Trump in the 2024 race.
Turning of the Tide Against Trump
The remarks that Pence made during his Meet the Press interview arrive as a shift in the Republican Party is taking place.
There are more Republicans openly speaking out against Trump. Many are saying the former president should not be the nominee because he won’t be able to win over necessary voters to secure victory in a general election.
Full Pence: ‘Possessing classified documents in an unprotected area is not proper’https://t.co/0Za1SmtBcO
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) November 20, 2022
Others have frowned upon Trump over his unprovoked attacks on Republican Govs. Ron DeSantis and Glenn Youngkin. On top of this, calls to steer clear of Trump come as some stress the need for the next generation to take over in the Republican Party.
This view has even been endorsed by the right-wing Wall Street Journal.
What do you make of Mike Pence’s claims about Trump in his latest Meet the Press interview? In the comments area below, please let us know.
This article appeared in Watch Dog News and has been published here with permission.
