In an extremely tense exchange, the conservative radio host Clay Travis called Mike Pence “pretty disrespectful” for not committing to pardon the former President Donald Trump.
Travis has vociferously argued that the federal indictment of Trump has been a politicized endeavor. As such, he challenged the former Vice President to pledge a pardon for his GOP rival.
“These are serious charges,” Pence replied. “I can’t defend what’s been alleged, but the president does deserve to make his defense.”
Pence pointed out that the power to pardon is an “enormously important” one and indicated it was too soon to make such a commitment.
That’s when sparks started to fly between the two.
“I think as a matter of principle, if you believe… Donald Trump is being prosecuted to a large extent for political-based reasons, something that has never happened in the 240-plus year history of the United States, that we are setting an awful precedent here,” Travis fired back.
The radio host accused Pence of “dodging the question” and “not stepping up on the front of leadership.”
“To me, not answering is a no,” he said.
Pence snapped, “I don’t think you know what the president’s defense is, do you?”
.@ClayTravis and @BuckSexton repeatedly ask @Mike_Pence if he’ll commit to pardoning Donald Trump. He won’t say.
Interview: https://t.co/oUHvyMn253
Podcast: https://t.co/WvNDsUybBx pic.twitter.com/AZ4NssyqjO
— The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show (@clayandbuck) June 14, 2023
RELATED: Spineless: Only One GOP Candidate Vowed To Pardon Trump – And It Wasn’t Ron DeSantis
Travis Slams Pence For Refusing To Commit To Pardon Trump
Pence went on to argue that the judicial process must play out and Americans should continue to have faith in the system.
“What I’m hearing is you’re fine with Donald Trump being put in prison, sir,” a fired-up Travis replied. “That to me, since you were his vice president, feels pretty disrespectful.”
Pence continued to dodge by saying he wouldn’t engage in hypotheticals and reminded listeners that the former President has a right to defend himself from the charges.
Following the interview, Travis declared “Mike Pence’s campaign is over” after he refused to answer the question on pardoning.
Why does he feel this way? The host pointed out that Pence refused to bend to Trump’s whim in his efforts to overturn the election results on “principle,” but now suddenly can’t stand on principle when it comes to a political prosecution that is clearly wrong.
“I don’t know how you can stand on principle more than saying, ‘Trying to put a former President in prison for political reasons is wrong and I’ll make the hard choice and keep him out of prison,” said Travis.
“He would let his former President be put in handcuffs by Joe Biden and won’t tell us ‘I won’t let that happen’?” he continued. “He’s done to me.”
A fired-up @ClayTravis reacts to Mike Pence’s refusal to commit to pardoning Donald Trump.
Interview: https://t.co/oUHvyMn253
Podcast: https://t.co/WvNDsUybBx pic.twitter.com/wNJryOAS7q
— The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show (@clayandbuck) June 14, 2023
RELATED: Vivek Ramaswamy Demands Republican Candidates Sign His Pledge To Pardon Donald Trump
Who Will Stand Up And Promise A Pardon?
Perhaps Pence is reticent to offer a pardon because he, like Joe Biden, escaped the same level of prosecution despite them both being embroiled in a similar controversy.
Pence had about a dozen classified documents turn up in his Indiana home. Biden had them strewn about multiple locations, including in a garage alongside his Corvette.
The Justice Department informed attorneys for Pence that they had closed their case and he would not be charged in the discovery of classified documents at his home. The Biden investigation has been practically non-existent.
Trump was arrested. Do you see the problem here, Mike?
This isn’t the first time Pence has skated around the idea of offering a pardon for his former boss.
Mike Pence is asked, if elected President, would he pardon Donald Trump. Spoiler alert: He squirms and won’t answer. (Video: CNN) pic.twitter.com/Ky09rIVaWr
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) June 8, 2023
Thus far, the only Republican candidate for President to commit to a pardon has been Vivek Ramaswamy.
In fact, Ramaswamy challenged every other presidential candidate to sign a pledge that they would right the wrong of a politicized Justice Department and pardon Trump.
JUST IN: Vivek Ramaswamy calls out Republican candidates for falling in line with the Democrats against Donald Trump while promising to sue the Biden administration.
It’s great to see that not all Republican candidates are falling in line with the Washington uniparty.
“The… pic.twitter.com/tEQZ2PSuFV
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 13, 2023
“This is my commitment, on Jan 20th 2025, if I’m elected the next U.S. president, to pardon Donald J. Trump,” Ramaswamy announced. “I have demanded that every other candidate in this race either sign this commitment to pardon.”
Clearly, Pence has no intention of signing that pledge.
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The post Tense Exchange: Clay Travis Calls Mike Pence ‘Pretty Disrespectful’ After He Refuses To Commit To Pardon Trump appeared first on The Political Insider.
