Former Vice President Mike Pence made sharp criticisms of former President Donald Trump's role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot at the annual Gridiron Dinner in Washington, D.C. Pence claimed that history will hold Trump accountable for his actions.
The comments come as the two men prepare to battle over the Republican nomination for the next election.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in the 6th January Capitol riot during an annual white-tie Gridiron Dinner in Washington, stating that "history will hold Donald Trump accountable" for his part in the insurrection.
Pence also emphasized his disagreement with Trump's opinion that Pence had the right to overturn the results of the 2020 election, stating "I had no right to overturn the election".
This marks Pence's sharpest rebuke of Trump to date.
Pence, who had been Vice President at the time of the Capitol riot, had been asked by Trump to object to the election certification by Congress that confirmed Joe Biden's presidential win.
However, he did not comply with Trump's request.
After the Capitol was breached by Trump supporters on 6th January, Trump criticized Pence for not overturning the election results, and made several false claims of voter fraud on social media.
This is a departure from Pence's previous stance towards Trump, who he had continuously supported during Trump's administration.
Pence's recent comments indicate a rift between the two men as they prepare to potentially both run for the 2024 presidential election.
This contrasts with Trump, who has continued to maintain that the 2020 election was "stolen" from him, and has frequently criticised Republicans who disagreed with him on this issue.