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Former Vice President Mike Pence was asked his opinion on the upcoming second term of President-elect Donald Trump, including the possibility that some January 6 prisoners may be pardoned.

Trump made several references to the idea of pardoning those imprisoned for their actions on January 6 while on the campaign trail. In a March post on Truth Social, the president-elect even referred to them as “hostages.”

“Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!” he posted.

He was also asked over the summer if he had any plans to pardon some or all of the prisoners.

“Oh, absolutely, I would. If they’re innocent, I would pardon them,” he said. In a later town hall hosted by CNN, he clarified that cases would be evaluated individually, rather than a blanket pardon.

“I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them probably got out of control,” Trump noted.

This talk has made Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans nervous. During Dispatch’s Summit 2024, Pence was asked about the events of that day and how he feels knowing Trump is considering pardons for some of those involved.

“At the end of the day, I’ll always believe that, by God’s grace, we did our duty [on January 6] to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America,” Pence answered, according to a post by The Dispatch on X.

“I don’t think the president should pardon anyone who assaulted a police officer at the United States Capitol on January 6,” he added. “Karen and I are literally praying that President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance will stand on the commitments that they will make when they raise their right hands on that day. And with God’s grace and the support of the American people, I believe they will.”

Pence also expressed optimism about the upcoming administration and some of his early appointments.

“I am very encouraged by the early appointments by the president-elect. The nature of leadership that he practices is one of getting inputs from all sorts of different sources,” the former vice president said. “I think they’re off to a good start.”

The topic changed to the fears, bolstered by many in the media, that Trump will abolish “democracy” and become a fascist dictator. Unlike many of the fearmongers, Pence has faith in voters.

“The American people are just not gonna have it,” he stated simply.

Sierra Marlee
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