In a speech at the Gridiron Dinner, former Vice President Mike Pence criticized former President Donald Trump for endangering his family and all those at the Capitol on January 6.
Pence’s remarks came as Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired previously unseen footage that he claimed exposes false claims about the events of that day, including the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick and the role of the Capitol Police in facilitating the speech of Jacob Chansley, known as the ‘Q Anon Shaman’, on the Senate floor.
Trump had called on his supporters to peacefully make their voices heard, and new footage has emerged of Chansley repeating this message to urge protesters to go home.
Pence objected to Carlson’s suggestion that many of the visitors to the Capitol were peaceful sightseers, pointing out that tourists do not injure police officers or threaten public officials.
In his speech, Pence praised the press for their coverage of the events of January 6.
He acknowledged that he and the press may not always agree, but he valued their contribution to keeping the country a democracy.
Some Republicans have criticized Pence for appearing to side with the Washington establishment and the media, who they believe are pushing a one-sided propaganda campaign against Trump.
