“Donald Trump is responsible for history” for January 6

[ad_1]

Former Vice President Mike Pence blasted former President Trump in a speech at the annual Gridiron Dinner Saturday night, saying history will hold the former president accountable for the chaos at the Capitol.

Why it matters: While Pence criticized Trump’s actions on Jan. 6 before, his comments Saturday were his sharpest rebuke to date.

The big picture: Pence told the audience that Trump was “wrong” to suggest he has the right to overturn the results of the 2020 election during election certification, the AP reported.

“His reckless words put my family and everyone in the Capitol at risk that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable,” Pence added.

Pence also took aim at right-wing media figures who downplayed the severity of Jan. 6.

“Tourists are not hurting 140 police officers by walking around. Tourists are not breaking down doors to get to the speaker of the House,” Pence said, CBS News reported.

State of play: Last month, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) gave Fox News’ Tucker Carlson exclusive access to 41,000 hours of Capitol footage from the Jan. 6 riot, which he began airing last week .

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republicans criticized Carlson for characterizing the insurrection as a “largely peaceful riot.” 6 is a “disgrace,” Pence told the audience Saturday, adding that “it defies decency to describe it in any other way,” according to the AP.

[ad_2]