Former Vice President Mike Pence said that people who engaged in violent acts during the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol should not receive presidential pardons from Donald Trump.
During an interview on HBO's "Real Time," Pence stated his position on how the government should handle those involved in the riot. He argued that individuals who assaulted police officers, damaged government property, or attempted to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election should face consequences rather than receive clemency.
Pence's comments come as Trump has used his pardon power to excuse crimes committed by various individuals. The former vice president's statement represents a direct disagreement with Trump's approach to handling cases involving Capitol riot participants.
Pence's remarks highlight ongoing divisions within Republican circles over how to address the events of January 6. While some Republican figures have distanced themselves from the violence that occurred that day, others have minimized or downplayed the severity of the attack.
The use of presidential pardons has become increasingly controversial during Trump's current administration. In recent weeks, Trump granted a full pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Republican congressman from Indiana who was convicted of insider trading in 2023. Buyer had served nearly two years in prison for making illegal stock trades based on information he obtained while working as a consultant and lobbyist. He was ordered to forfeit more than $350,000 in illegal gains and pay a $10,000 fine before his release in 2025.
Pence's position on January 6 pardons differs sharply from Trump's willingness to use clemency powers. The former vice president took a prominent role on January 6, as his constitutional duty was to oversee the certification of the election results. During the attack, rioters called for Pence's removal and some sought to prevent him from carrying out his responsibilities.
The question of how to treat January 6 participants remains politically charged. Hundreds of people have been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges related to the Capitol attack, with sentences ranging from fines and probation to years in prison. Prosecutors have pursued cases against individuals involved in various levels of the disruption, from those who simply entered restricted areas to those who engaged in direct confrontations with law enforcement.
Pence's comments suggest that at least some prominent Republicans believe that violent acts during January 6 warrant legal accountability rather than executive forgiveness. His remarks stand in contrast to efforts by some Trump allies to reframe the events of that day or seek pardons for those convicted in connection with the attack.