Pence calls it 'heartening' to hear GOP candidates back him on Jan. 6

Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) said Sunday it was “heartening” to hear other GOP candidates during last week's debate back his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 in which he refused to cave to pressure by former President Trump to reverse the previous year's election results.

“It was heartening but it wasn’t anything new,” Pence said an interview with CBS’ “Face The Nation.” ‘Frankly, as I’ve traveled around the country for the last two and a half years, Americans from every walk of life have come up to me and express their appreciation for the fact that we did our duty that day.” 

The Republican presidential candidates were asked last week during the debate about their views on Pence moving forward with certifying the results of the elections on Jan. 6, 2021, despite alleged pressure from Trump. Every candidate who was asked the question, including former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Tim Scott, Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, praised Pence’s actions on Jan. 6. 

Pence said Sunday he “welcomes the fact” that almost all of the GOP candidates “made it clear” he followed his duty in overseeing Congress' count of Electoral College votes that affirmed President Biden's victory.

“I understand the disappointment in the 2020 election, I was on the ballot,” Pence said. “But under our Constitution, states certify elections, and once court cases, and reviews and recounts are completed, the only duty of the vice president is to preside over a joint session of Congress where the votes are open and counted.” 

During the debate, Pence said Trump asked him to reject or return votes unilaterally, which no vice president in American history had ever done. Following the debate, Trump lashed out at his former vice president over his comments, calling it a "fake story," in a post on Truth Social.