Former Vice President Mike Pence took aim at former President Donald Trump at his campaign kickoff event, throwing sharp elbows at his former running mate hours after a campaign video all but ignored him.
Pence took several jabs at Trump when announcing his 2024 presidential bid, including slamming him for his actions on the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
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"On that day, President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. Now voters will be faced with the same choice. I chose the Constitution, and I always will," Pence said.
The former vice president then invoked the Bible when talking about keeping an oath "even when it hurts" and explained how the Constitution gave him no power to overturn the 2020 election.
"I will always believe, by God's grace, I did my duty that day. I kept my oath to ensure the peaceful transfer of power under the constitution of the United States," Pence said.
Pence then reiterated that he was disappointed by the result of the 2020 election but that he did not have the power to overturn the election and that current-Vice President Kamala Harris will not have the power to do so in January 2025.
"I believe anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president, and anyone who asked someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be President of the United States again," Pence said, calling out his former running mate.
Prior to his remarks, Pence had not mentioned the Capitol riot or Trump in his nearly three-minute-long announcement video. His announcement video instead focused on his background and his hope for the future of the country, despite current pessimism.
I believe in the American people, and I have faith God is not done with America yet. Together, we can bring this Country back, and the best days for the Greatest Nation on Earth are yet to come! ???????? #Pence2024 pic.twitter.com/A8EkqgCDAm
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 7, 2023
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Reporters at Pence's launch event did notice the WiFi password for media members was "KeptHisOath!" in a clear reference to his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, where he certified the 2020 election for Joe Biden and Harris over himself and Trump.
Pence is polling in fourth place in the Republican presidential primary, behind Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC), per the RealClearPolitics polling average.