'Go home': Mike Pence bashed for saying Trump's 14th Amendment ballot ban is 'antithetical' to democracy

WASHINGTON, DC: Former vice president Mike Pence found himself thrust into an unusual spotlight after he reportedly claimed that removing former president Trump from the 2024 ballot under the 14th Amendment's "insurrection clause" is "antithetical" to democracy.

The 64-year-old Pence, who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, was in an interview on CNN’s 'State of the Union' when he criticized Trump’s disqualification while declining to call the January 6 Capitol attack an insurrection.

“I have never called what happened on January 6 an insurrection,” Pence told CNN’s Jake Tapper, adding, “I was there. It was a riot, the way it broke out, and I have never seen it any other way.”

“And while I said that the president’s words were reckless — and I believe that history and the American people will hold him ultimately to account for his role in that day,” the former vice president said.

“I think these efforts to take the decision away from the American people are really antithetical to the very democracy that President Biden and many Democrats talk about wanting to defend,” he further stated, according to the Hill. 

Following the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows barred Trump from appearing in the state's primary ballot due to his alleged involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

After announcing that it would consider Trump's appeal, the Supreme Court now controls the decision of whether or not his name will continue to appear on presidential ballots.

Mike Pence urges voters to choose right candidate in 2024

Mike Pence, who previously announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, also stated that he is sure the American people would choose the right candidate.

“I’m very confident that the American people will choose wisely. I’m confident that we will run our elections. But removing the former president or any other candidate from the choice of the American people, I don’t believe is in the interest of the country,” Pence stated.

“And I have reason to be confident that the Supreme Court of the United States will see it just that way,” he added.

Pence further continued by stating that "good Republican voters" have an opportunity to "give our party a fresh start and give us new leadership to lead our party forward in the election and beyond" in the forthcoming New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucuses.

Internet reacts to Mike Pence’s remarks

Mike Pence’s remarks on 'State of the Union' have garnered immense social media attention, with users shredding him for claiming that removing Trump from the 2024 ballot is "antithetical" to democracy.

“Pence, go home to obscurity,” one user said while slamming the former VP. “King of bad judgment and horrible decisions lectures us on the constitution,” the second the user mocked.

“In his true thoughts, he likes the ban as he is a traitor to America!” the third user wrote, while the fourth one asked, “Why do you still bother to quote Pence on anything?”

“Mike Pence is a sycophant that will say and do anything to please Trump. He had a spine for a brief moment but that has clearly gone away,” the fifth user wrote.

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.