Predicts ‘better picks’ than Trump

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Mike Pence showed the sharpest divide yet with his former boss on Sunday, predicting “better picks” than Donald Trump for president in 2024.

When asked if the former president’s actions and inaction on Jan. 6 disqualified him from being commander-in-chief again, Pence told ABC’s “This Week” that he was disappointed, but it is ultimately a decision for the American people.

And he hinted that they would no longer choose Trump as president.

GOP 2024:Which Republicans are running for president? Who hasn’t announced yet? Who is considering?

What did Pence say about Trump?

Pence continued the independent streak he displayed at the recent Gridiron dinner in Washington last weekend, when he first said history would hold Trump accountable for Jan. 6, 2021. On Sunday, he reiterated this point and hinted that 2024 voters could also hold him accountable. .

“Once again, he’s running for office, but as I travel the country, I’m confident the American people have learned the lessons of that day…” Pence told ABC anchor Jonathan Karl. “They know what happened and they know that the President’s reckless words endangered the people on Capitol Hill that day, including me and my family. I think they will take all of that into account when they will make decisions in the future in this country.”

Pence said he was “angry” on Jan. 6 and has been working on a pardon for some time.

“The president let me down that day,” Pence said. “He let the country down that day.”

Previous:Pence says history will hold Trump ‘accountable’ for Jan. 6, berates him for putting his family at risk

Will Pence support Trump in 2024?

Asked if he might back Trump for president again, Pence said “that remains to be seen.”

“I have to tell you that I think we’ll have better choices,” he said in one of his harshest reviews.

Pence has not said whether he will run for the Republican nomination in 2024, but he expects to speak soon.

Donald Trump:“In many ways” you could blame the January 6 violence on… Mike Pence

If Trump is arrested, Pence says any protest must be peaceful and legal

Trump on Saturday morning claimed he would be arrested on Tuesday and urged his supporters to protest and “take back our nation”, echoing a similar message he issued before Jan. 6.

Pence on Sunday urged calm. “I believe people understand that if they express this, if it happens on Tuesday, they have to do it peacefully and in a legal way.”

What we know:Is Donald Trump in danger of being arrested soon? Will he be indicted?

Candy Woodall is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at cwoodall@usatoday.com or on Twitter at @candynotcandace.