Speaking to a group of elite Washington journalists and government officials at the annual Gridiron dinner, Mr Pence said that history would hold his former boss accountable. “President Trump was wrong; I had no right to overturn the election,” Mr Pence said. “And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day. And I know that history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”
Mr Trump is under state and federal investigations to determine whether he violated the law with the roles he played during the January 6 “insurrection” aimed at overturning a duly elected government. Some Republicans and conservatives have downplayed the event, but Mr Pence said, “what happened that day was a disgrace, and it mocks decency to portray it in any other way.”
The former vice president's remarks are significant because of his close relationship with Mr Trump, who attacked Mr Pence on January 6 for not stopping the certification process. The Senate later acquitted Mr Trump of inciting the riot.
Mr Pence is preparing to battle Mr Trump and Florida Governor Ronald DeSantis for the Republican presidential nomination ahead of the 2024 election. His comments suggest that he will be taking a different tack than Mr Trump, who has continued to claim that the election was stolen from him.