Former vice president Mike Pence has given advice to Donald Trump‘s new running mate, JD Vance, and offered to sit down with the Ohio senator to discuss further.
Speaking at the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) on Tuesday as part of their Constitution Day celebration, Pence told Vance that the job of a vice president is to “be prepared” if “history called.”
Pence, whose relationship with Trump fell apart in the wake of the 2021 January 6 Capitol riot, made the remarks days shortly after the apparent assassination attempt against the former president at his Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, in Florida.
The incident, in which the suspect did not fire at Trump, was the second assassination attempt against the Republican in two months. On July 13, Trump was left with minor injuries after a gunman opened fire while he was speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
When asked if he has any advice for Vance, Pence said the role of the vice presidency is to assume office duties at a moment’s notice in the case of a tragedy. If Trump wins the 2024 election in November, Vance would be second in line for the presidency.
Former Vice President Mike Pence on Fox News Channel’s America Reports. Pence offered advice to Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance at a Middle Tennessee State University event on Tuesday.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
“Of course, I would sit down with Sen. Vance,” Pence said.
“We have prayed more than once for him. I would tell him what I tried to tell myself every day as vice president. In the morning when I got dressed, I always wanted to think about three things I wanted to do every day.
“Full disclosure, I got out a magic marker and wrote on the mirror. Be informed, be prepared and be of service. I wanted to make sure my heart was in the right place if history called.”
Vance’s team has been contacted for comment via email.
Elsewhere during the event, Pence defended his actions after he refused Trump’s demands not to not certify the 2020 election results while Pence performed his purely ceremonial role as presiding officer of the Senate on January 6, 2021.
During the riot at the Capitol, the former president’s supporters could be heard chanting “hang Mike Pence” while backing Trump’s false 2020 election fraud claims.
Speaking at MTSU, Pence reiterated that he did not have the power or authority to not certify the election results, despite Trump’s insistence.
“When that day came three years ago, I think of the oath I took to the American people and almighty God,” Pence said.
“I will leave the judgment to others and history. It was by God’s grace I did my duty that day, and it was a great honor to do so. On. January 6, President Trump was wrong. I had no right to reject votes.”
