In a recent podcast appearance with comedian Andrew Schulz, former President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering critique of his former vice president, Mike Pence, for not aiding his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results on January 6th.
During the 90-minute discussion, Trump expressed disbelief that Pence didn’t take the extraordinary step of rejecting certified electoral votes—a move Trump insists was within Pence’s rights. “It’s a shame because he and I had a very good relationship,” Trump remarked, hinting at a deeper betrayal.
Schulz humorously noted that Pence seemed to be “hanging out somewhere,” but Trump was far from joking. He doubled down, stating, “He couldn’t cross the line of doing what was right, in my opinion.” Trump continued to push his unfounded narrative, claiming Pence had the authority to send electoral votes back to state legislatures for reassessment. This was part of Trump’s long-standing scheme to undermine the election results, which culminated in the violent Capitol riots.
In a blatant mischaracterization of recent legislative changes, Trump claimed, “They changed the law so that a vice president could no longer do what I said he could do.” This refers to a bipartisan amendment to the Electoral Count Act, designed to prevent the kind of election subversion Trump attempted. He failed to acknowledge that this law was a direct response to his actions, solidifying the legal safeguards against future abuses of power.
Despite Trump’s attempt to frame his demand as a quest for “honest elections,” the reality is stark: his vision would have dismantled the very democratic processes that uphold U.S. elections. “I wish he would have had the stamina, maybe courage, and maybe both to go further,” Trump lamented, revealing the true extent of his desire for loyalty over legality.
Pence, on his end, has made it abundantly clear he will not endorse Trump’s campaign, firmly stating that he will not violate his oath to uphold the Constitution. His stance comes after Trump’s myriad of failed legal challenges to the election, all of which were dismissed in court.
Trump’s relentless attacks on Pence underscore a troubling reality: his refusal to accept defeat has put him at odds not just with former allies but with the fundamental principles of American democracy.
Donald Trump on Mike Pence: "It's a shame…He couldn't cross the line of doing what was right…Unfortunately, I wish he would have had the stamina, maybe courage, maybe both, to go further…If we're afraid to challenge an election, we're in big trouble." pic.twitter.com/w6UYV74hfd
— Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) October 9, 2024
