Trump was indicted by a Washington, DC, grand jury on Tuesday on four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights in relation to the January 6 Capitol Riots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday\u2019s indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States,\u201d Pence said in a statement. \u201cI will have more to say about the government\u2019s case after reviewing the indictment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Federalist Society Executive Branch Review conference, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)
Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Federalist Society Executive Branch Review conference, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pence cautioned voters that Trump\u2019s indictment would take away focus from \u201cJoe Biden\u2019s disastrous economic policies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe former president is entitled to the presumption of innocence but with this indictment, his candidacy means more talk about January 6th and more distractions,\u201d Pence said. \u201cAs Americans, his candidacy means less attention paid to Joe Biden\u2019s disastrous economic policies afflicting millions across the United States and to the pattern of corruption with Hunter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notably, Pence repeatedly appears throughout Smith\u2019s four-count indictment against the former president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The indictment alleges that Trump \u201crepeated knowingly false claims of election fraud and directly pressured the Vice President to use his ceremonial role at the certification proceeding on January 6 to fraudulently overturn the results of the election.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The indictment refers to Pence\u2019s \u201ccontemporaneous notes\u201d during a January 4, 2021, meeting with Trump and several White House officials in which Trump \u201cmade knowingly false claims of election fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith\u2019s indictment alleges Trump told Pence, \u201cyou\u2019re too honest,\u201d when Pence told Trump he believed there was no constitutional authority for the vice president to \u201creject or return votes to the states.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pence claimed in his statement, \u201cOur country is more important than one man,\u201d adding, \u201cOur constitution is more important than any one man\u2019s career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn January 6th, Former President Trump demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. I chose the Constitution and I always will,\u201d Pence said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former vice president then pledged to defend America in a way consistent with \u201cthe Constitution and the character and decency of the American people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs your president, I will not yield an inch in defending America, our people, or our values, and I promise you: I will do so in a way consistent with my oath to the Constitution and the character and decency of the American people,\u201d Pence concluded. \u201cWe will restore a threshold of integrity and civility in public life so we can bring real solutions to the challenges plaguing our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jordan Dixon-Hamilton is a reporter for Breitbart News. Write to him at jdixonhamilton@breitbart.com or follow him on Twitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n