Former Vice President Mike Pence revealed he has “forgiven” former President Donald Trump for sending Jan. 6 protesters after him — but refused to say whether he’d vote for his former boss.
Pence, 64, reiterated that he won’t endorse Trump for the 2024 election and slammed him for “walking away” from conservative values — including his reversal on banning TikTok.
He also criticized the presumptive GOP nominee’s suggestion that convicted rioters are “hostages.”
“I think it’s very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza, that the president or any other leaders would refer to people that are moving through our justice system as hostages,” Pence told CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday.
“It’s just unacceptable.”
Pence said the he is proud of what he and Trump accomplished in office following their 2016 election victory, and said “I’ve forgiven the president in my heart for what happened” on Jan. 6.
During the Capitol riot, there were chants of “hang Mike Pence” from the mob of angry Trump supporters that ransacked the Capitol.
He added: “As a Christian, I’m required to do that. I have prayed for him in that regard.”
Trump had berated Pence publicly over his refusal to decertify the election results. But Pence has long defended his actions, contending that heeding Trump’s wishes would’ve violated the Constitution.
When asked about how he would vote in November, Pence did not rule out casting his ballot for Trump and repeatedly side-stepped the question.
However, he also slammed Trump’s behavior on Jan. 6 — and many of his policies.
“The reason that I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump this year also has to do with the fact that he is walking away, not just from keeping faith with the Constitution on [Jan. 6, 2021], but also with a commitment to fiscal responsibility,” he said.
“A commitment to the sanctity of life, a commitment to American leadership in the world,” Pence went on.
He took aim at Trump for criticizing the bipartisan bill that passed the US House last week that would require TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell or be banned from US app stores — despite the Trump administration previously attempting to take similar action.
“I see him departing from the mainstream conservative agenda that has defined the Republican Party over the last 40 years and still has the best hope for the future of the country,” Pence bemoaned.
The Hoosier Republican vied unsuccessfully for the Republican nod in 2024 but dropped out last October. Trump officially locked down the necessary 1,215 delegates to win last week.
Still, Pence wasn’t surprised that Republican voters are flocking to Trump.
“I just think frankly, the disaster of the Biden administration has resulted in people going back to what’s familiar and I understand that,” Pence said.
Pence stressed that he is “incredibly proud” of the accomplishments he and Trump had during their four years together in the White House.
“But as I look at what Donald Trump is running on now, I simply cannot in good conscience, endorse his candidacy this year,” Pence said.
Now that Trump is the de facto Republican nominee, he is slowly mulling through his options for the vice presidency. Pence is not up for consideration.
The Post contacted the Trump campaign for comment.
