Former Vice President Mike Pence has experienced a notable change in his perspective regarding the indictment of his former boss, former President Donald Trump.
Pence, who is currently vying for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination against Trump and other contenders, initially expressed his opposition to the idea of bringing federal charges against Trump, citing concerns about the divisive impact it could have on the country.
During a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 7, Pence remarked, “I think it would also send a terrible message to the wider world… We’re the emblem of democracy. We’re the symbol of justice in the world.”
Pence further emphasized the negative implications of indicting a former president, hoping that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would reconsider and find alternative resolutions to the issues at hand.
As Pence probably already knew, that was not fated to happen. Trump faced a federal indictment the following day.
The indictment comprised 37 counts, including charges of willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and other crimes.
After reading the unsealed 49-page indictment, Pence, who is running against Trump, said he couldn’t defend the alleged actions of his former boss.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, Pence said, “Having read the indictment, these are very serious allegations… And I can’t defend what is alleged.”
“The suggestion that there were documents pertaining to the defense capabilities of the United States and our allies, our nuclear program, to potential vulnerabilities of the United States and our allies,” Pence said.
“Even the inadvertent release of that kind of information could compromise our national security and the safety of our armed forces,” he said. “And, frankly, having two members of our immediate family serving in the armed forces of the United States, I will never diminish the importance of protecting our nation’s secrets.”
Pence also emphasized that Trump deserved his day in court and the opportunity to present a defense. He then disingenuously claimed he wanted to refrain from passing judgment until Trump had the chance to respond adequately to the charges brought against him.
Pence echoed similar sentiments during an appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” asserting, “This indictment contains serious charges, and I cannot defend what is alleged.”
Interestingly, these comments come in the wake of the discovery of approximately a dozen classified documents at Pence’s Indiana residence back in January.
However, unlike Trump, it was recently confirmed that Pence would not face any charges related to this incident.
The Department of Justice informed Pence’s attorney in a letter that, based on the results of their investigation into the potential mishandling of classified information, no criminal charges would be pursued.
Naturally, Pence’s evolving stance on the Trump indictment raises questions about the underlying motivations behind his shift.
The motives behind Pence’s change of heart and the impact of these events on his and the former president’s political ambitions will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized.
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