Mike Pence downplays Trump’s protest threats

Former Vice President Mike Pence downplayed concerns about possible protests this week, encouraged by former President Donald Trump, who instigated the 2021 US Capitol attacks, saying people have a “right to be peaceful.” to gather”.

“The American people have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly,” he told ABC News in a sit-down interview on Saturday.

Anyone who wants to protest Trump’s self-designated indictment for allegedly concealing hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign knows they must do so peacefully and lawfully, Pence said.

Pence continues to downplay Trump’s call for protests after January 6: “The American people have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly.” pic.twitter.com/aeUBDG0pXs

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 19, 2023

“The violence that took place on January 6th, the violence that took place in cities across the country in the summer of 2020 was a disgrace,” he said, appearing to relate to both the attack on the Capitol and independent protests over the killing to relate to George Floyd Police. “The American people will not tolerate this, and those who engage in this type of violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Pence also denied the integrity of any charges against Trump, calling it a “politically charged charge.” He accused the Manhattan District Attorney of making Trump “his top priority” and said that “just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left.”

Earlier Saturday, Trump urged his supporters to “PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST” and “BRING BACK OUR NATION” in capital letters in a social media post while making his expected arrest Tuesday amid a criminal investigation into alleged hush money in the amount of announced $130,000 that was paid to adult actor Stormy Daniels.

His message, stating that “EVIL & SINISTER PEOPLE” are “DESTRUCTING” the military and the country, was similar to the call to action he made when he incited the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 after he had lost his re-election bid in 2020. A violent mob ransacked the Capitol, resulting in several deaths.

Pence, in a speech earlier this month, directly blamed Trump’s “reckless” words for fueling the uprising.

“President Trump was wrong. I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone in the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable,” he told politicians and journalists at the annual Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington.

Police officials in New York City are planning additional security measures ahead of a possible indictment against Trump, multiple officials told The Associated Press on Friday. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg also urged his staff in an email Saturday not to intimidate or threaten to respond to Trump’s call for protests.