Former Vice President Mike Pence denounced former President Donald Trump Tuesday in response to a second federal indictment of the 45th president, this time on charges related to an alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
“Today’s indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States,” Pence declared in a statement, as reported by Fox 4 News. “I will have more to say about the government’s case after reviewing the indictment.”
“The former president is entitled to the presumption of innocence but with this indictment, his candidacy means more talk about January 6th and more distractions,” Pence said. “As Americans, his candidacy means less attention paid to Joe Biden’s disastrous economic policies afflicting millions across the United States and to the pattern of corruption with Hunter.”
The indictment, unveiled by the Justice Department Tuesday, included four federal charges against Trump: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
The indictment includes details about the conflict between Trump and Pence after the 2020 election. Trump allegedly told Pence, “you’re too honest,” after the vice president doubted the idea of overturning the election.
“I don’t think I have the authority to change the outcome,” Pence allegedly told Trump on the phone in another conversation, according to the indictment.
Pence, in his Tuesday statement, emphasized respect for the Constitution.
“On January 6th, former President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. I chose the Constitution and I always will,” Pence said in the statement.
“As your president, I will not yield an inch in defending America, our people, or our values, and I promise you: I will do so in a way consistent with my oath to the Constitution and the character and decency of the American people. We will restore a threshold of integrity and civility in public life so we can bring real solutions to the challenges plaguing our nation,” Pence said.
Meanwhile, Trump maintains his innocence, alleging that Special Counsel Jack Smith timed the indictment in order to threaten Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, as reported by The Dallas Express.
He also took aim at Mike Pence on Truth Social on Wednesday, writing:
“I feel badly for Mike Pence, who is attracting no crowds, enthusiasm, or loyalty from people who, as a member of the Trump Administration, should be loving him. He didn’t fight against Election Fraud, which we will now be easily able to prove based on the most recent Fake Indictment & information which will have to be made available to us, finally – a really BIG deal. The V.P. had power that Mike didn’t understand, but after the Election, the RINOS & Dems changed the law, taking that power away!”
Trump’s first federal indictment included charges related to his alleged refusal to turn over classified material after his presidency. He was also indicted in New York over accusations that he paid an adult film star $130,000 in hush money during the 2016 presidential campaign.
