Former Vice President Mike Pence is providing a glimpse inside his temporary encounter with President-elect Donald Trump ultimately week’s funeral for former President Jimmy Carter.
“He greeted me when he got here down the aisle. I stood up, prolonged my hand. He shook my hand. I mentioned, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President,’ and he mentioned, ‘Thanks, Mike,’” Pence told Christianity Today.
Pence was Trump’s loyal sideman for a lot of his first time period in workplace. Nevertheless, a rift opened up between the 2 after the 2020 election, when Trump pressured Pence to dam the certification of the ends in Congress.
When Pence refused to take action, a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol. Some had constructed a gallows outdoors and chanted, “Grasp Mike Pence.”
Pence stands by his actions that day, calling it his “obligation” below the Structure to certify the election. He unsuccessfully ran towards Trump for the Republican nomination final 12 months and didn’t endorse him forward of the election.
Regardless of that historical past, Pence mentioned he’s glad he bought to talk to Trump.
“I’ve actually been blessed at how a lot I’ve heard from folks across the nation who noticed that handshake, and in that handshake, noticed some hope that we is likely to be shifting previous these troublesome days,” he instructed Christianity At this time. “That’s definitely my hope.”
Pence’s spouse, Karen Pence, wasn’t as cordial as she didn’t acknowledge Trump or Melania Trump once they arrived.
The previous vp was mum on what that meant.
“You’d must ask my spouse about her posture, however we’ve been married 44 years, and he or she loves her husband, and her husband respects her deeply,” he mentioned.
