CNN
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Former Vice President Mike Pence stated Sunday whereas receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Braveness Award that January 6, 2021, “turned a triumph of freedom” as a result of Congress returned to do its constitutional obligation after the attack on the Capitol.
“Our establishments held that day, not due to anybody particular person, however as a result of leaders in each political events, Republicans and Democrats, did their duties,” the previous vice chairman stated whereas receiving the award for placing his life and profession on the road in rejecting President Donald Trump’s strain to overturn the 2020 election. “So I got here tonight to offer credit score the place credit score is due, but in addition to say in these divided occasions, in these anxious days, I do know in my coronary heart that we’ll discover our manner ahead as one nation.”
Pence refused when Trump repeatedly pressured him to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 election, fraying the connection between the 2 males. Pence was presiding as Congress counted Electoral Faculty votes to certify Joe Biden’s victory when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The vice chairman, his spouse, Karen; and his daughter, Charlotte, remained within the Capitol whereas police beat again the rioters, and Pence later oversaw the election’s certification.
“January 6 was a tragic day,” Pence stated Sunday. “Nevertheless it turned a triumph of freedom. And historical past will document that our establishments held.”
After leaving workplace, Pence ran towards Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. The previous vice chairman dropped out of the race about three months earlier than the primary votes have been forged after struggling to realize traction in a celebration that had largely deserted the Reagan-inspired conservative rules Pence represents and remained loyal to his former boss.
Pence on Sunday didn’t handle Trump’s decision, after returning to energy earlier this yr, to pardon greater than 1,000 individuals charged within the Capitol assault and commute the sentences of others. Trump described these charged for his or her actions as “hostages.”
The previous vice chairman did briefly allude to variations with Trump’s present administration on tariffs, its strategy to Ukraine, and the president’s strikes to withdraw from worldwide organizations and downsize America’s position on the earth.
“Now individuals who know me know I’m a conservative, however I’m not in a nasty temper about it. I imagine in a powerful protection, restricted authorities, the suitable to life, and I’m going to exit on a limb and say that may put me within the minority on this room,” Pence instructed these gathered at Kennedy’s presidential library in Boston.
“However I even have variations with members of my very own get together, on spending and tariffs, and my perception that America is the chief of the free world and should proceed to face with Ukraine till the Russian invasion is repelled and a simply and lasting peace is secured,” Pence stated.
Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and grandson Jack Schlossberg offered the award.
“On the time, I assumed Vice President Pence was simply doing his job,” Caroline Kennedy stated. “Solely later did I understand that his act of braveness saved our authorities and warned us about what may occur and is going on proper now.”
Schlossberg stated Pence put the nation’s pursuits earlier than his personal and “saved America that day.”
Pence has lengthy stated former President Kennedy was his childhood hero and his inspiration to enter public service. He stated Kennedy’s funeral is one among his earliest reminiscences.
“To be right here tonight, bearing witness to a journey that President Kennedy helped encourage in my small life is extra significant than I can presumably specific,” he stated.
Pence additionally stated he felt “profoundly unworthy” to obtain the award. He credited two aides who suggested him within the lead-up to January 6, 2021, in addition to his spouse and daughter, who remained within the Capitol with him. And he praised the US Capitol Police.
“After I consider that fateful day 4 years in the past, the one heroes I noticed have been sporting uniforms,” Pence stated.
