Should Biden Be Removed From 2024 Presidential Ballot?
Pence Refutes Jan. 6 as ‘Insurrection,’ Advocates for Trump’s Inclusion in Ballots
On Sunday, former Vice President Mike Pence rejected the idea that the FBI was behind the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Despite expressing anger over the events of that day, Pence does not label it an “insurrection” and opposes removing former President Donald Trump’s name from state ballots.
In a CNN interview with Jake Tapper, Pence stated that he has been consistently reassured that the FBI was not involved in instigating the riot. He commended the FBI for bringing justice to nearly 1,000 individuals who participated in the riot and stressed the importance of holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Pence recalled his frustration and disbelief at witnessing the Capitol breach, emphasizing that such an event should never have occurred. He also acknowledged Trump’s words on that day as reckless and believes history will judge Trump’s involvement.
The former vice president dismissed theories, echoed by Trump and believed by a third of Republicans according to a Washington Post poll, that the FBI initiated the violence on Jan. 6. He highlighted the sacrifices of the Capitol Hill Police during the riot and expressed his belief in a fresh start for the Republican Party with the upcoming Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary.
Addressing the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on whether Trump should have been removed from the Colorado primary ballot under the 14th Amendment’s clause barring insurrectionists from office, Pence maintained that he never considered Jan. 6 an insurrection. He argued that keeping Trump on the ballots is essential for allowing Americans to make their own choices in elections.
Pence concluded by stating that efforts to exclude Trump or other candidates from ballots are contrary to democratic principles and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will align with his view.
