Pence addresses everything from Capitol riot to systemic racism in New Hampshire speech

Manchester, New Hampshire – During a Thursday speech at the annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner in New Hampshire, ex-Vice President Mike Pence spoke on an array of topics ranging from the January 6 Capitol riot to critical race theory.

Ex-Vice President Mike Pence reads out Biden's election certification results one day after a violent pro-Trump mob attacked the US Capitol.
Ex-Vice President Mike Pence reads out Biden's election certification results one day after a violent pro-Trump mob attacked the US Capitol.  © IMAGO / UPI Photo

After highlighting some of what he considers the Trump administration's biggest achievements, Pence turned his address to the January 6 Capitol riot, a subject that he has previously avoided.

"As I said that day, January 6 is a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol," Pence was quoted by The Hill as saying.

"But thanks to the swift action of the Capitol Police and federal law enforcement, violence was quelled. The Capitol was secured. And that same day, we reconvened the Congress and did our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States."

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In May, the US House passed a bill to create a bi-partisan commission to investigate the attack, but the proposed legislation has stalled in the Senate, unable to get the 60 votes necessary to get past the filibuster.

"You know, President Trump and I have spoken many times since we left office. And I don't know if we'll ever see eye to eye on that day. But I will always be proud of what we accomplished for the American people over the last four years," Pence continued.

Not "seeing eye to eye" comes across as a bit of an understatement, considering rioters were actually calling to hang the former vice president.

Pence continued his speech, stressing party unity despite such disagreements: "My fellow, Republicans, for our country, for our future, for our children and our grandchildren, we must move forward, united."

Pence then turned to critical race theory

Mike Pence called systemic racism a "left-wing myth" during his speech.
Mike Pence called systemic racism a "left-wing myth" during his speech.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

If Pence's response to the Capitol riot came across as mild, it seems he was reserving that anger for critical race theory.

"It is past time for America to discard the left-wing myth of systemic racism," Pence said, as reported by the New York Times.

The ex-VP claimed, "America is not a racist country," and added that schoolchildren are learning "to be ashamed of their skin color."

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He expressed his support for Republican-led initiatives to ban critical race theory in public schools.

The remarks came just two days after Joe Biden visited Tulsa on the 100th anniversary of the city's 1921 race massacre.

Pence also took aim at Black Lives Matter, saying, "Black lives are not endangered by police. Black lives are saved by police."

Pence continues walking the fine line between not condoning the January 6 attack while also upholding conservative rhetoric that appeals to many of his former boss' supporters.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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