Mike Pence accuses Donald Trump of 'walking away' from the Constitution after refusing to endorse him

Former Vice President Mike Pence accused former President Donald Trump of “walking away” from the Constitution days after refusing to endorse the Republican frontrunner.

Pence told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday that many Americans think his “profound differences” with Trump are only over the events surrounding the Capital riot. Trump and Pence publicly split after the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, with Pence refusing to try to intervene in Congress' certification of the 2020 election.  

But the former vice president on Sunday explained to CBS’ Margaret Brennan that his divide with Trump stretches beyond the events of one day.  

“The issue of fealty to the Constitution is not a small matter,” Pence said. “But it’s not just that. I mean, 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 that day, but also, Margaret, with a commitment to fiscal responsibility, a commitment to the sanctity of life, a commitment to American leadership in the world.” 

Pence during the interview said he would like to see the ultimate 2024 GOP nominee endorse a 15-week restriction on abortion across the country. He also criticized Trump for appearing to reverse his position on TikTok in recent weeks, after the former president came out against a bill to ban the app or force its sale.  

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When asked about Trump referring to people facing charges connected to the Capitol riot as “hostages,” Pence again balked at his former boss.  

 “I think it’s very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza that the (former) president or any other leaders would refer to people that are moving through our justice system as hostages. It’s just unacceptable,” Pence said Sunday.  

The former vice president last week publicly announced that he would not back the former president for another term in the White House, repeating an allegation that his ex-boss has strayed too far from conservative philosophy. 

"It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year," Pence told Fox News' Martha MacCallum Friday.  

Contributing: David Jackson, Erin Mansfield and Jessica Guynn