Transcript: Former Vice-President Mike Pence on Face the Nation, August 27, 2023

This is the transcription of the interview with Mike Pence, former vice president. It aired on Face the Nation on August 27th 2023.

NANCY COORDES: Let’s turn to politics, and the former Vice-President Mike Pence who is here from Indiana. Thank you for coming, Mr. Vice-President.

Former Vice President Mike Pence: Thank you Nancy. I appreciate you having me.

NANCY CORDES : Yes. Let me start by mentioning the Jacksonville shooting. Here we are. The 60th anniversary is just around the corner. Yet, we seem to be witnessing a rise in white supremacy and racial hatred across the nation. What can you do to help? What can you do? What can be done by the country?

FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT PENCE (translated): In America, there is no place for violence motivated by race. I strongly condemn the events in Jacksonville. This wasn’t criminal activity. This was a criminal act. We are praying for the families that lost loved one and those who are injured. I prayed for them this morning. As a Marine Corps Family, we prayed also for the families of the Marines who were killed or injured in the Osprey accident. Nancy, at home we are a family that believes in prayer. Look, I- I- I- I- I think that we need to rethink the way in which we approach this issue. I’ll tell you that I think that there are a number of steps we can take. Supporting law enforcement. This long experiment by the American left to defund the police must be ended. I believe we should provide federal funding for armed guards in all our schools, public and private. We must commit to the institutional health care that I have called for in this country since many months. In the end, justice is denied if it’s delayed. I also call for the federal death sentence to be expedited in cases of mass shootings like those that occurred in Jacksonville and, frankly, at a- at a ballpark or a football match. We must send a strong message to all those with evil intent, telling them that their future is not in prison. It’s not going to take years, but months for them to be sentenced. And I think- I do believe that the federal death sentence should be expedited in order to give those responsible for mass shootings in Jacksonville a fair trial. Yesterday is a concept whose time has arrived.

NANCY CORDES: Understood. Now let’s move on to the Republican primaries. Many people will remember a particular moment from the debate that took place the other day. All of the candidates were then asked if they believed you did the right things on January 6, 2020. Listen to their responses.

(SOUND ON TAPES)

AMBASSADOR NIKKI HALEY: Former U.N. AMBASSADOR NIKKI HALEY: Vice-President Pence made the right decision.

GOVERNOR BURGUM DOUG: Mike Pence acted correctly on January 6,

Former New Jersey Governor Chris CHRISTIE said Mike Pence stood up for the Constitution.

Sen. Tim Scott: Yes. He did what was right.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS: Mike did his duty. I don’t have a problem with him.

(FINAL SOUND ON TAPE).

NANCY CORDES : Could you describe what it was like to be validated by your Republican peers after all the abuse from the MAGA side of your party over the past two-and-a-half years for this? You did your job on 6 January?

Former Vice President Pence: Oh, Nancy, it was heartening. But it was nothing new. As I have traveled across this country over the past two and half years, Americans of all walks of life come up to express their gratitude for us doing our duty on that particular day. Looks like I–as I said–I understand the disappointment of the 2020 election. I was on my ballot. In our Constitution, the states certify the elections. Once court cases, reviews, and recounts have been completed, the vice president’s only duty is to preside at a joint Congress session where the votes are opened and counted. The fact that nearly everyone who was on stage acknowledged that I had performed my duties that day is something I am grateful for. I believe that the American people have a right to know what each and every candidate for the Republican nomination has to say.

NANCY CODES: Oh, yeah. I’d like to ask about Vivek, the entrepreneur. You criticised him on the podium. You said that the country cannot afford to have an amateur in the White House. I wonder what your opinion is of his voting record. In his native state of Ohio, he is listed as a non-affiliated voter. He didn’t participate in any of the 22 primaries. He’s admitted that he did not vote in the majority of presidential elections. He describes himself an “American Nationalist.” What is your opinion of his politics?

Former Vice President Pence: You know, where to begin? We had an excellent debate. That’s-you know- why there are primaries. And I welcome the opportunity to contrast my commitment to the conservative agenda with-and-and-and honestly, the fact I believe, in humility, that I am the most qualified, most tested, and most experienced candidate in this race. Not only for Vivek whom I have known for years, but everyone else. This country, I think, is in big trouble. Joe Biden is to blame for the mortgage rate hike yesterday. It was the highest it has been in 22 years. Their war on the energy crisis, their assault on our freedoms. I think it’s time for leadership. Someone who knows how move Congress and an administration but has also led a state, made hard decisions as a chief executive on a state level. So I was pleased to compare that to his voting history —

NANCY CORDES : — Here, we’re talking- talking about Ramaswamy. If you don’t care, Mr. Vice-President, he has said that he will pardon Mr. Trump. You were among six candidates who stated that you would support Trump even if he was convicted of a crime. Why are you feeling this way? Why do you feel that way? Why would you want someone like that as President?

Former Vice President Pence (Pence): I’m here to tell you that I am supporting the Republican nominee. I have signed a commitment to do so. I am confident, even more so after Wednesday night, the Republican nominee won’t be the former President. We’ll give the American people an alternative who will be able lead them to victory over Joe Biden, and-and the radical left. But, you know, i raised my hand to say I’ll be supporting the Republican nominee, because Nancy, i could never support Joe Biden. Joe Biden had disastrous policies. His family is also a moral cloud. Joe Biden, frankly, has violated the Constitution of the United States. He has failed to faithfully implement our laws on the southern border, and created the worst crisis of American history. And that student loan giveaway where he wanted truck drivers to pay taxes to pay for the student loans of grad students was an unconstitutional attempt to grab power that I rejected. I will therefore support the Republican nominee, and continue to do my best to ensure it’s me.

Nancy Cordes: I look forward to seeing you at the next debate, Mr. Vice-President. We appreciate you joining us in the morning.

Nancy, THANK YOU FOR THE FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT PENCE. I’m glad to be with Nancy.