In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, ex-Vice President Mike Pence disclosed on Tuesday that he could not vouch for former President Donald Trump in light of the “extremely grave” charges detailed in his new indictment.
Pence, who has recently thrown his hat into the ring for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, made several pointed remarks about his former superior, who is now his competition.
“Upon reviewing the indictment, the charges presented are extremely grave. I’m unable to defend what has been claimed,” Pence clarified. “However, the President has the right to a fair trial, he has the right to present a defense, and I would like to withhold judgement until he has the chance to rebut.”
Pence expressed particular concern about the claim that a number of documents stored at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, related to the vulnerabilities of the US military and its nuclear initiative.
Nevertheless, the former congressman and Governor of Indiana confessed it was hard to conceive that politics played no part in the Department of Justice’s decision to bring forward 37 charges against the previous president.
“I believe that millions of Americans are significantly disturbed by this indictment, particularly in light of the fact that Hillary Clinton exhibited quite similar actions during the 2016 campaign yet did not face indictment,” Pence contended.
His statements were made public mere hours following the federal district court in Miami, Florida arraigning Trump, based on recommendations from the office of DOJ special counsel John L. Smith, charged with his investigation.
Last week, Pence announced his underdog pursuit for the GOP endorsement, challenging Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, ex-United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.
