Mike Pence previously battled against a summons to testify against his ex-boss in court. However, he’s now a pivotal character in the first criminal indictment against Donald Trump, associated with his attempts to reverse the 2020 election outcome. The charge, issued Tuesday, involves a 45-page report partly based on Pence’s real-time notes during conversations with Trump preceding the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. These notes provide evidence of Trump’s desperate—and allegedly illegal—plot to maintain their shared power.
The indictment reveals conversations wherein Trump reportedly criticized Pence for being “too honest” by dismissing Trump’s erroneous assertions about his power to invalidate the election. “Bottom line – won every state by 100,000s of votes,” Trump declared during another interaction, according to the indictment.
Amid a crowded field of Republican contenders for the 2024 presidential race, Pence has been defending his decision to rebuff Trump, despite being under scrutiny for his Department of Justice investigation. Pence started his campaign by staunchly criticizing his former running mate, asserting that Trump forced him to choose between Trump and the Constitution.
Pence continues to express his belief that Trump is unfit for the presidency, stating in a Tuesday night announcement that “Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States,.” He further emphasized the supremacy of the Constitution and the country over any single person’s career.
Despite serving as Trump’s deputy, Pence’s presidential campaign faces hurdles. A faction of Trump’s dedicated followers holds him accountable for Trump’s defeat, lending credence to Trump’s false statements that Pence could have intervened to prevent Joe Biden’s victory. Simultaneously, Trump’s critics blame Pence for his complicity in Trump’s contentious actions.
It remains uncertain if Pence will qualify for the first 2024 GOP presidential debate due to his yet-to-be-fulfilled donor minimum, despite reaching the polling requirements.
In Washington, Pence has declined to testify to the House committee examining the Jan. 6 attack, dismissing it as a political ploy. He resisted a subpoena demanding his grand jury testimony, citing his Senate presidency during the Jan. 6 event as protection under the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause. However, Pence complied when a judge rejected blocking his appearance, insisting he wouldn’t be forced to answer questions concerning his role as Senate president.
The recent indictment against Trump details his desperate attempts to retain power, accusing Trump and his allies of plotting to manipulate the election results through Pence’s ceremonial role.
Despite Trump’s relentless persuasion and threats, Pence maintained that he lacked the authority to alter the election results. Even after the insurrection, Trump’s supporters breached the Capitol chanting against Pence, who had to be escorted to safety. Trump’s allies continued urging Pence to adjourn the certification session, but Pence certified the election, sealing both his and Trump’s defeat.
The full implications of the indictment against Trump and the corresponding role of Pence are yet to unfold. What is certain, however, is that Pence’s detailed notes and subsequent actions have become a linchpin in the case against his former boss. His attempts to balance his loyalty with his dedication to the Constitution have been subject to scrutiny and will likely continue to impact his political career moving forward. As the country looks ahead to the 2024 presidential election, Pence’s stance and the backlash he faces may serve as a bellwether for the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party.
