(CNN) Former Vice President Mike Pence made his most blistering comments about former President Donald Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol during remarks Saturday evening at the annual Gridiron Club dinner in Washington, DC.
Pence began his remarks at the dinner in a tradition of politicians making jokes about Washington celebrities, including Trump, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who are expected to run for president in 2024. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.
He then took a more serious tone, referring to the attack on the Capitol as “something I don’t joke about” and calling January 6 “a sad day”.
Pence condemned Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021 attack, saying he was “wrong” to say Pence had the power to overturn the 2020 election results in his role presiding over Congress, saying, “History will hold Donald Trump. Accountable.”
“President Trump made a mistake. I have no right to annul the election. His reckless words put my family and everyone in the Capitol at risk, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable,” Pence said.
Pence also chided those who belittled those who entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 as tourists.
“Tourists are not going to hurt 140 police officers by walking around,” Pence said. “Tourists don’t break down doors to get to the Speaker of the House or raise their voices against public officials.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
