'Worst VP ever': Internet slams 'irrelevant' Mike Pence for saying he has forgiven Donald Trump for Jan 6

WASHINGTON, DC: Former vice president Mike Pence said he has "forgiven" former president Donald Trump for instigating January 6 rioters to go after him, reported the New York Post.

"I've forgiven the president in my heart for what happened that day. As a Christian, I'm required to do that. I have prayed for him in that regard," Pence said in an interview on CBS 'Face the Nation' on Sunday, March 17.

The former VP further defended his decision not to endorse Trump for the November election, particularly citing his action on January 6, 2021.

"The reason that I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump this year also has to do with the fact that he is walking away, not just from keeping faith with the Constitution on [January 6, 2021], but also with a commitment to fiscal responsibility," the Republican added.

However, he refused to reveal whether he would vote for the GOP presumptive nominee in the November presidential election.

The January 6 attackers targetted Pence, chanting "hang Mike Pence" after Trump falsely claimed the ex-VP had the power to overturn the 2020 election results in his favor. They drifted apart after Pence completed the certification of Joe Biden's votes, confirming the incumbent's victory in the 2020 election.

Mike Pence criticizes Trump on January 6 'hostages' and TikTok

Mike Pence also called out Donald Trump for labeling the imprisoned January 6 rioters as "hostages."

"I think it's very unfortunate at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza, that the president or any other leaders would refer to people that are moving through our justice system as hostages," he stated, before adding, "It's just unacceptable."

The former president has frequently been using the term to describe the convicted rioters and has vowed to consider their release as a day-one priority if he gets elected in November. Moreover, in an Ohio rally on March 17, Trump saluted the jailed Capitol attackers while the song' Justice for All', dedicated to the J6 "hostages," played.

Pence also expressed discontent against Trump for backtracking from his previous stance on banning the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok in the US. The former president was critical of the bipartisan bill passed by the GOP-controlled House last week, demanding TikTok's Chinese owners to sell or get blocked from US app stores.

"I see him departing from the mainstream conservative agenda that has defined the Republican Party over the last 40 years and still has the best hope for the future of the country," the former vice president emphasized.

However, Pence, who suspended his 2024 presidential race last year, did not seem surprised at Trump's dominance and popularity among Republican voters. According to him, "the disaster of the Biden administration" made people return to the former president.

After securing their respective party nominations last week, Trump and Biden entered a general election race for a second term in the White House. The 2024 presidential election will take place on November 5.

Internet blasts Mike Pence for forgiving Donald Trump

Netizens lashed out at Pence's revelation after he said that he has forgiven Donald Trump, accusing him of being a coward.

One  social user wrote, "Pence is irrelevant, we don’t need to ever hear from him again unless it is in a trial."

"Mike pence is the EPITOME of cowardice!" another person remarked.

One user wrote, "This right here is a total waste of skin…..I’ve NEVER SEEN COWARDICE of this Magnitude!! Talk about a Spineless Jellyfish."

"And yet, Joe Biden is worse--claims Pence. He has zero credibility on any issue. And he's a fake Christian," someone else added.

A fifth user described him as the "Worst VP ever." Another response read, "The Mike Pence farewell tour continues....... Ugh."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.