Pence says he believes RNC’s clarification of ‘legitimate political discourse,’ calls Jan. 6 a ‘tragic day’

Former Vice President Mike Pence said that he believed the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) clarification for the use of the term “legitimate political discourse” in their resolution to censure Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).

Pence said he believed the committee made it clear it was not about those involved in the rioting that took place on Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol.

On Thursday, Pence delivered a speech at an event at Stanford University and was later asked by an attendee what his thoughts were after the RNC’s resolution claimed that the two House Republicans were taking part in the “persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse” by sitting on the committee.

“Let me just say plainly, Jan. 6 was a tragic day. But because of the courage of Capitol Hill police officers and federal law enforcement, we quelled the violence,” Pence said. “We reconvened the Congress and we completed the people’s work under the Constitution and the laws of the United States the very same day.”

Pence argued that he believed the RNC made it clear that they were not condoning the violence that took place that day.

“I think they made a very clear statement after the fact that said we were talking about what’s happening in Washington today with the Jan. 6 Committee. They maintained, and I believe them, they were not talking about people that engaged in violence against persons or property that day, that they were speaking about a whole range of people that have been set upon by this committee,” Pence said. 

“And I believe them, they’re good people. And I believe that’s what they meant.”

Earlier this month, the RNC voted formally to censure Cheney and Kinzinger for their past criticism of former President Trump and for their involvement in the House panel investigating the events of the Capitol riot.

Pence’s remarks appear to be the first time he has spoken publicly about the RNC’s resolution to censure the two. 

The decision from the national committee has divided some Republicans. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was one of the most high-profile Republicans to speak out against the censure, saying it was “not the job of the RNC” to be singling out Republicans whose views did not align with the majority of their party.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has defended the committee’s censure several times, claiming that the move does not condone the violence that took place last year.

“Legitimate political discourse never includes violence,” she said during an interview on Fox News earlier this month.