“President Trump made a mistake,” Pence said. “I have no right to cancel the election. And his reckless words put my family and everyone in the Capitol in danger that day. And I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.
The former vice president spoke at the gridiron dinner, a white-tie event hosted by journalists in Washington, DC, that this year featured speeches from Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and New Jersey Gov. Bill Murphy in addition to Pence. The annual event will be a lighthearted affair, with skits and skits performed by members of the Washington press corps.
Since the gridiron does not allow television cameras, politicians’ comedy routines are also featured at night. Pence’s performance included his own attempt at a comedy routine, including a knock on his former driving partner.
“I once invited President Trump to a Bible study,” Pence said early in his speech. “He loved the passages about beating up your enemies. As he said, ‘Ya know Mike, there’s some good stuff here.’
Pence also hinted at his own potential for president. “I will wholeheartedly and unreservedly support the 2024 Republican presidential nominee,” he said. “If it’s me.”
But at the end of Pence’s speech, he said there was one topic he wasn’t joking about.
“The American people have a right to know what happened at the Capitol on January 6,” he said. “But make no mistake about it, what happened that day was a disgrace and to portray it any other way makes a mockery of decency.”
