Former Vice President Mike Pence is no longer holding back his feelings about his former boss.
In a speech Saturday night, Pence lashed out at former President Trump over what transpired on Jan. 6th -- when a group of Trump supporters, driven by the lie that the election was stolen, stormed the Capitol building while the results were being certified, with some in the mob chanting "Hang Mike Pence."
"President Trump was wrong," Pence said during the annual Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington, D.C., per CBS News. "I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day."
"History will hold Donald Trump accountable for his actions," he added.
Pence went on to call the Capitol riot that ensued "a disgrace." He also criticized reports that described it as a "peaceful" gathering of "tourists."
"The American people have a right to know what took place at the Capitol on January 6," he said, per CNN. "But make no mistake about it, what happened that day was a disgrace, and it mocks decency to portray it in any other way."
"I was there at the Capitol, and let me assure you it was not, as some would have you believe, tourists visiting the Capitol," Pence continued. "Tourists don't injure 140 police officers by sightseeing. Tourists don't break down doors to get to the speaker of the House."
"For as long as I live I will never, ever diminish the injuries sustained, the lives lost, or the heroism of law enforcement on that tragic day," the former vice president added.
Pence's comments follow Fox News' Tucker Carlson's recent airing of security footage and his assertion that those attacking the Capitol were "sightseers."
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has faced criticism since giving Carlson an exclusive look at official tapes from the insurrection. On Sunday, McCarthy said he will begin to "slowly roll out" access to the footage to other news outlets.
"They can come see the tapes as well," McCarthy said in an interview with Fox News. "Let everyone see them to bring their own judgment."
"My goal here is transparency," McCarthy added.
Related
Related
