(MENAFN) Former Vice President Mike Pence made a bold move on Saturday when he criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th Capitol riot. During a speech at the Gridiron Dinner, a formal event attended by politicians and journalists, Pence condemned Trump's actions and words that led to the attack on the Capitol building. The rift between the two men has been widening as they prepare to potentially face off in the Republican nomination for the upcoming election.
Pence's remarks were particularly noteworthy because he had been a loyal supporter of Trump during his time as Vice President and had previously avoided confronting him. On the other hand, Trump has already declared his candidacy for the next election, while Pence has not yet done so but has been laying the groundwork for a potential run.
Prior to the January 6th riot, Trump had pressured Pence to overturn President Joe Biden's election victory while he was presiding over the ceremonial certification of the results. However, Pence refused to do so, and when the Capitol was breached, some of the rioters even chanted that they wanted to "hang Mike Pence."
In its final report on the attack, the House committee investigating the incident stated that "the President of the United States had riled up a mob that hunted his own Vice President." Pence's comments on Saturday mark his strongest condemnation yet of Trump's behavior and rhetoric leading up to the riot, indicating that he holds Trump accountable for the events that took place that day.
As the potential battle for the Republican nomination looms, it remains to be seen how Pence's criticism of Trump will impact his political aspirations. However, his remarks may signal a shift in the political climate within the Republican Party, as more party members may begin to speak out against Trump's actions and rhetoric in the aftermath of the Capitol riot.
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