Trump Gets Unlikely DEFENDER – Who Saw THIS Coming!?

(USNewsMag.com) – Despite his condemnation of former President Donald Trump, Mike Pence, the former Vice President, doesn’t believe Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 election if convicted in any of the indictments against him.

Appearing on ABC’s This Week on Sunday, Pence was asked by host Jon Karl if the “same standard” should apply to Trump as would happen to a member of Congress if convicted of a felony: expulsion. Karl cited an example of Pence voting to expel a congressman in 2002 after the lawmaker was convicted of a felony for corruption.

Pence said he would not apply that same standard to his “former running mate” and that the decision should “be left to the American people.” The former vice president said to let Trump “have his day in court” and to maintain the “presumption of innocence” until then. Pence reiterated that although “no one’s above the law,” the former president should be allowed to “debate about the challenges facing the American people” due to President Joe Biden’s “failed policies.”

Although some may view Pence as having double standards here, it seems he’s trying to play a middle position in the matter. He’s also been heavily critical of his former boss since Trump’s multiple indictments. Pence specifically condemned Trump for his behavior around January 6 and accused the former president of putting his ego “before the Constitution” and his duty. He says he does not believe the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and that Trump’s promotion of the possibility damaged the country.

Even though Pence is now qualified to participate in the Republican primary debates, he is currently way behind in the polls as Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continue to outshine him.

Ramaswamy, who’s pledged to pardon Trump if elected, is doing particularly well even though he doesn’t have any of the experience in politics possessed by the other candidates. One would think having served as vice president would give Pence an edge, but many Republicans became disillusioned with him when he turned against Trump.