It has been two years since a crowd of Donald Trump supporters built a gallows on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol and began chants of "Hang Mike Pence." For the first time, Pence on Wednesday addressed Jan. 6 in more detail than he has previously in speeches to the public.
Pence explained to a crowd in Iowa that he followed the law and stayed true to the Constitution and the oath of office. Reporters even noted that the password to the wifi at the event was "KeptHisOath!"
Pence, who has previously written about the day in his book, began his speech by quoting former President Calvin Coolidge as a possible slight at Trump: "It is a great advantage to a President, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man." Pence told the crowd, "This I know."
"I must tell you, we as Americans have had our fill of politicians who present themselves as great men and women," said Pence. "The last place we ought to look for deliverance is to our government. ... Now, while some in this contest have taken to criticizing the record of the Trump-Pence administration, let me be clear, I'm incredibly proud of everything we accomplished for the American people.
"Together in three short years, we cut taxes, we destroyed ISIS, stood with our allies, and stood up to our enemies as never before. We made the strongest military in the history of the world stronger than ever before. We gave historic prosperity at home that lifted all Americans, regardless of race or creed or color. We achieved energy independence. And maybe, and maybe most important of all, it was our administration that appointed three of the justices that sent Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history where it belonged."
He then said "from my heart" that he always promised the American people and to "Almighty God."
"Jan. 6th was a tragic day in the life of our nation. But thanks to the courage of law enforcement, the violence was quelled, and we reconvened the Congress the very same day to complete the work of the American people under the Constitution of the United States," Pence continued.
"As I've said many times, on that fateful day, President Trump's words were reckless. They endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol. But the American people deserve to know that on that day, President Trump also 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. Four years earlier. I swore an oath, a hand on my Bible and Ronald Reagan's bible, to support and defend the Constitution. The Bible says He keeps his oath even when it hurts. And I know something about that."
The comment came from David's Paslm 15:4. David asks God who belongs in his "tent" or on his "mountain." It reads, "whose tongue utters no slander; who does no wrong to a neighbor; and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person; but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts..."
Pence went on to cite Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution, which says that the president of the Senate, the vice president, "shall, in presence of the Senate and the House, open all the certificates and the votes shall be counted."
Pence explained, "Despite the fact that the Constitution's language is clear and provides the vice president with no authority to reject or return electoral votes, my former running mate continues to insist that I had the right to overturn the election. But President Trump was wrong then, and he's wrong now. 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 of America."
he said that he understood the disappointment Republican voters felt in the 2020 outcome, but he still had no power to overturn the election, just as Vice President Kamala Harris will have no power to overturn an election as president of the Senate.
"Finally, let me say to my countrymen, I'll always be grateful for what President Trump did for this country," Pence explained. "I've often prayed for him over the past few years. I prayed for him again today. I had hoped he would come around and see that he had been misled about my role that day. But that was not to be."
He also said that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution doesn't deserve to be president and anyone who says they should put themselves over the Constitution "should never be elected again."
See the video below or at the link here.
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