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The next is a transcript of an interview with former Vice President Mike Pence that aired on March 17, 2024.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning and welcome to Face the Nation on this St. Patrick’s Day. Former Vice President Mike Pence joins us in particular person, in studio. Good morning to you and Glad St. Patrick’s Day.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE: Good morning Margaret, good to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There’s so much to get to with you immediately. However I need to start with some remarks Mr. Trump made yesterday at a rally in Ohio. He walked onto the stage to a tune recorded by a choir of prisoners, dealing with costs for his or her position within the violence of January the sixth, take a hear.
DONALD TRUMP: You see the spirit from the hostages, and that is what they’re is hostages. They have been handled terribly. And really unfairly, and that and all people is aware of that. And we will be engaged on that soon- the primary day we get into workplace, we’re gonna save our nation, and we’re gonna work with the individuals to deal with these unbelievable patriots and so they have been unbelievable patriots and are.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I do know previously you have mentioned Mr. Trump’s reckless phrases endanger you and your loved ones on that day. What do you suppose whenever you hear him seek advice from these individuals dealing with costs as hostages and patriots?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Effectively, I feel it’s totally unlucky at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza, that the President or some other leaders would seek advice from individuals which can be shifting by our, our justice system as hostages. And it is simply, it is simply unacceptable. I used to be there on January 6. I’ve little question in my thoughts, Margaret, that, that some individuals have been caught up within the second. And that entered the Capitol and and so they’re definitely entitled to due technique of regulation for any nonviolent actions that day. However the assaults on cops in the end an surroundings that claimed lives is one thing that I feel was tragic that- I am going to by no means diminish it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And the authorized system is processing these people by and giving them trials. I ponder what you suppose, although, about Mr. Trump and whether or not the general public wants to listen to and see a few of the proof in regard to the federal costs associated to his alleged position in January 6, do you suppose that should occur earlier than election day?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Effectively I, look, I feel the American individuals lived by that second. I and my household and my group lived by it on the Capitol that day. I feel most People know what occurred. You recognize, as I’ve mentioned earlier than, , I actually do imagine that the judgment in regards to the President’s conduct that day ought to have been left to the American individuals. I do know it has been introduced right into a felony trial now. And, and we’ve instances across the nation which were introduced associated to that, notably in Georgia, however on the finish of the day, I feel the American individuals know what occurred that day. And I mentioned, the individuals that- the those who ransacked the Capitol have to be held to the fullest account of the regulation. And I imagine that they’re, however the judgment in regards to the President’s efforts that day I feel could be left to the American individuals. However, however look, I, , I mentioned final week that, , after a whole lot of prayer and reflection, I’ve come to the conclusion that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this 12 months. I imply, look, I am very happy with the document of our administration Margaret, it was a document that left America extra affluent, and, and safer, and, and our liberties and the sanctity of life stronger than ever earlier than in my lifetime.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you have mentioned Mr. Trump’s walked away from conservative–
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Effectively–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –Rules this week.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: I do. I mentioned it throughout my presidential marketing campaign, the President and I’ve profound variations, and many individuals suppose it is simply over January 6. And, frankly, the truth that the President continues to insist that, that I had the precise to overturn the election that day is a basic distinction. However I need to be clear that, , I’ve forgiven the president in my coronary heart for what occurred that day. As a Christian, I am required to do this, I’ve prayed for him in that regard. However the challenge of fealty to the Structure isn’t a small matter- but it surely’s not simply that. I imply, the explanation that I can not in good conscience endorse Donald Trump this 12 months additionally has to do with the truth that he’s strolling away, not simply from protecting religion with the Structure on that day. But in addition Margaret, with a dedication to fiscal duty, a commitment–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: –Of the sanctity of life, a dedication to American management on this planet. I imply, the President’s reversal simply within the final week on, on TikTok, following an administration the place, the place we actually modified the nationwide consensus on China is the explanation why, after a whole lot of reflection, I simply concluded I can not endorse the agenda that Donald Trump is carrying into this nationwide debate.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is that the ultimate phrase from you? Are you able to be persuaded? If he alters tax, to vote for him? Would you vote for him?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this 12 months. I need to be clear–
MARGARET BRENNAN: However would you vote for him?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: I respect the precise of Republican voters who’ve made it clear who they’re for, who they need to be our normal bearer this 12 months. What I am gonna focus my energies on is within the what stays of this 12 months, on what we must be for, as a result of I joined this get together after I was in school–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: –As a result of I heard the voice and the values of one other good Irishman named Ronald Reagan, who mentioned that we have to be, have a robust nationwide protection, but in addition acknowledge we’re a frontrunner of the free world, and we have to stand for conventional values, the sanctity of life, we have to stand for the Structure, and restricted authorities and within the steadiness of this 12 months, and within the years forward, I am simply going to proceed to champion these values that I feel are usually not simply good for the Republican Celebration, Margaret, however I feel that they’re the precise insurance policies for a stronger, extra affluent America.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However I requested you about persuasion and voting as a result of this isn’t simply Mr. Trump, he has taken the get together with him. He has taken the Senate Republican management who’re endorsing him, he has taken the Home Republican endorsements with him too by way of management. Are all of these individuals from Mitch McConnell to Mike Johnson strolling away from the conservative ideas, you say?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Effectively I do not need to say that they’re, I need to say that my deep conviction is–
MARGARET BRENNAN: They’re endorsing Donald Trump.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: However this can be a conservative get together. That is nonetheless a celebration I imagine that stands for much less authorities, much less taxes, American management on this planet, conventional ethical values and the precise to life. I simply suppose, frankly, the catastrophe of the Biden administration has, has resulted in individuals going again to what’s acquainted, and I perceive that I–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yeah.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: I labored day in and time out for 4 and a half years to construct that document of the Trump-Pence administration. I am extremely happy with it. However as I have a look at what Donald Trump is working on now, I merely can not in good conscience, endorse his candidacy this 12 months.
MARGARET BRENNAN: On the problems of the economic system, which many Republicans seek advice from, as , one thing the Trump pence administration did nicely with till COVID. Trump’s campaigning on that. Final evening, he was speaking about electrical autos particularly, and mentioned, in terms of Chinese language firms who manufacture in Mexico, he’ll put in tariffs. However I need you to hear to precisely what he mentioned.
DONALD TRUMP: We’ll put a 100% tariff on each single automobile that comes throughout the road, and you are not gonna be capable to promote these automobiles, if I get elected. Now, if I do not get elected, it may be a massacre for the entire, that is gonna be the least of it, it may be a massacre for the nation, that would be the least of it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: What does that imply? And given how divided the nation is, does that language concern you, notably in terms of political bias?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: First, I need to, I need to commend you, Margaret, for placing that in context. I awakened this morning, seeing on-line all of the dialogue about massacre. And as you have simply mirrored, the President was clearly speaking in regards to the impression of, of imports, devastating the American automotive industry–
MARGARET BRENNAN: Was that clear to you? As a result of it was just a little muddled
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: I feel it was. Look I need individuals to know, my, look, the President and I, it was very clear for 4 years, the President and I’ve, have totally different kinds. We’re totally different males. My variations with him are usually not over model. It is not over language. And as I mentioned earlier than, it is not private. I imply, for me, the explanation why I will not endorse Donald Trump this 12 months is as a result of I see him departing from the mainstream conservative agenda that has outlined the Republican Celebration over the past 40 years, and nonetheless has the very best hope for the way forward for the nation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And it sounds such as you’re attempting to maneuver the get together again in that route, which is why I am asking you when you’re persuadable right here, however on that time you made in regards to the dedication to the sanctity of human life. You say Mr. Trump’s strolling away from it. President Biden is telling voters that Donald Trump’s attempting to ban entry to abortion, although he actually hasn’t given any specifics as to what he really thinks. What would you want him to say that he’ll endorse a 15 week restriction such as you did?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Effectively, I am pro-life I do not apologize for it. I could not be extra proud to have performed a task within the administration that appointed three of the justices that despatched Roe versus Wade to the ash heap of historical past.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However there would not appear to be a conservative consensus on this challenge, which is so motivating to so many citizens.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: However look the states across the nation have been advancing the ideas of life. I used to be very dissatisfied throughout our presidential marketing campaign. When Donald Trump denounced and mentioned a professional life invoice, a six week invoice enacted in Florida which had already been enacted in Georgia and in Ohio was, I feel, in his phrases, horrible. Look, we’re a professional life get together. I imply, I actually do imagine that there’s a nationwide position I like I would prefer to see our nominee endorse a minimal 15-week ban, but in addition I would prefer to see a nominee that is affirming the sanctity of life because it’s debated in states
MARGARET BRENNAN: –And protections for IVF
Throughout this nation this can be a pro-life get together
MARGARET BRENNAN: –Protections for IVF?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Completely.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And endorsing, ought to embryos be thought-about kids?
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: Effectively, look, I am, I am somebody that believes within the sanctity of human life, that life begins at conception. My household as , Margaret has benefited by fertility remedies, and I feel they need to be protected. However I additionally imagine that within the days forward, we might do nicely to make sure that, that unborn human life, together with embryos are correctly handled, correctly revered within the regulation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, we’ll observe that. Mr. Pence, thanks for coming in and sharing your views with us immediately.
Face the Nation can be again in a minute so stick with us.
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