Trump Says Mike Pence Is Responsible For January 6 Capitol Riot: ‘You Can Blame Him’

Former President Donald Trump has blamed his Vice President Mike Pence for the violence during the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

Trump claimed that Pence’s unwillingness to support his scheme, based on lies about election fraud, fomented the political violence.

“Had he sent the votes back to the legislators, they wouldn’t have had a problem with January 6,” Trump told the press corps during a flight to a campaign event in Iowa. “So, in many ways, you can blame him for January 6.”

Trump’s rhetoric on the way to the campaign events grabbed national headlines. Trump followed the attack on Pence with a barb at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying he would be working at a “Pizza Hut” if it weren’t for his endorsement.

Pence, who resided over the Congressional verification of the 2020 election, was one of many lawmakers whose lives were threatened during the insurrection. Rioters outside the building were heard chanting “hang Mike Pence” as they entered the building.

Pence’s speech at an annual dinner for the Gridiron Club in Washington, D.C., preceeded Trump’s comments.

“President Trump was wrong,” Pence stated at the dinner. “I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day. And I know that history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”

Despite his public contempt for Trump, Pence continues to defy a subpoena compelling his testimony of events on January 6.