Former Vice President Mike Pence has expressed his confidence in the American people and downplayed concerns about the potential for violence from President Donald Trump's supporters.
Pence made the comments in an interview with CNN on Sunday, in response to Trump's recent claim that indicting him over the January 6 insurrection would be "very dangerous" given the "passion" of his supporters.
Pence denied that the violence on January 6 was representative of the majority of Trump's supporters, stating that "virtually everyone in our movement" were law-abiding and patriotic individuals who would never engage in such behavior.
He added that he was "infuriated" by the insurrection, but argued that it was carried out by a small minority of individuals.
Trump had previously suggested that his supporters would react violently if he were indicted again, telling a conservative talk show host that "it would be very dangerous" to pursue charges against him.
Trump's comments came after Special Counsel Jack Smith informed him that he was also a target of his investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is also investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the results in Georgia.
Despite Trump's warning, Pence expressed confidence that his supporters would respond peacefully.
When asked by host Dana Bash about the possibility of violence, Pence replied that he was "sure" Trump's supporters would not resort to violence.
However, Pence's confidence in Trump's supporters stands in contrast to the events of January 6, when some Trump supporters were recorded chanting "Hang Mike Pence" and Trump himself accused Pence of lacking the courage to protect the country and the constitution.
Pence denied that the violence on January 6 was representative of the majority of Trump's supporters, stating that "virtually everyone in our movement" were law-abiding and patriotic individuals who would never engage in such behavior.
He added that he was "infuriated" by the insurrection, but argued that it was carried out by a small minority of individuals.
Trump had previously suggested that his supporters would react violently if he were indicted again, telling a conservative talk show host that "it would be very dangerous" to pursue charges against him.
Trump's comments came after Special Counsel Jack Smith informed him that he was also a target of his investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is also investigating Trump's efforts to overturn the results in Georgia.
Despite Trump's warning, Pence expressed confidence that his supporters would respond peacefully.
When asked by host Dana Bash about the possibility of violence, Pence replied that he was "sure" Trump's supporters would not resort to violence.
However, Pence's confidence in Trump's supporters stands in contrast to the events of January 6, when some Trump supporters were recorded chanting "Hang Mike Pence" and Trump himself accused Pence of lacking the courage to protect the country and the constitution.