Former top Pence aide says he ‘did not see a lot of legitimate political discourse’ on Jan. 6

Marc Short, who was a top aide to former Vice President Mike Pence, said on Sunday that he “did not see a lot of legitimate political discourse” during the Jan. 6 attack on the capitol, referring to the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) latest resolution on the event.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” host Chuck Todd asked Short if he thought the Capitol insurrection was “legitimate political discourse,” as it was described in the RNC resolution, which also censured GOP Reps. Liz Cheney (Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (Ill.).

“From my front row seat I did not see a lot of legitimate political discourse. But, Chuck, to your question, you know, in talking to some members of the RNC I think there is concern that there are people who were there peacefully protesting who have been pulled into this what I think has more become a prosecution by the January 6th Committee and feel like they’re being unfairly treated,” Short told Todd. 

Todd also asked Pence’s former chief of staff whether he heard anything about seizing voting machines, referencing reports last week that then-President Trump was involved in plans to seize election equipment in crucial swing states. Short said he did not.  

When Todd asked whether Pence will follow up with the Jan. 6 committee if he was subpoenaed, Short said it would enter uncharted territory. 

“I think it’s very different to subpoena a former vice president to talk about private conversations he had with the president of the United States. It’s never happened before,” Short said. “And I think we have significant concerns about the committee, Chuck. The committee truly is not really a bipartisan committee.”

Short’s remarks come after the RNC voted on Friday to formally censure Cheney and Kinzinger over their criticism of Trump and their participation in the special House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the capitol.

The committee said the two lawmakers were engaging in “persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”

However, some Republicans joined Cheney and Kinzinger in defending their role on the panel. 

“Shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol, tweeted Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) after the vote. “Honor attaches to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for seeking truth even when doing so comes at great personal cost.”