Pence dithers on if he could ever support Trump again: ‘Yet to be seen’

Former Vice President Mike Pence was hesitant when asked if he would support the former President Donald Trump in future elections. He remarked that the GOP will “have better choices” than Trump for the 2024 cycle and once again declined to commit to endorsing Trump.

Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee (RNC) is planning to make it mandatory for GOP candidates to confirm that they will back the eventual nominee to be eligible for debates.

Pence told ABC’s This Week, “I think that’s yet to be seen, Jon. I must tell you that I think we’ll have better choices. I think the American people long for leadership at the highest level that’s focused on the issues that are affecting their lives. And also, I think they longed for leadership that will keep faith with our highest traditions, including the foundation of the Constitution.”

Pence expressed his dissatisfaction with the events of Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and confirmed that he and Trump have parted ways. Some of the rioters that stormed the Capitol chanted about hanging Pence, angered by his refusal to decertify the 2020 election. Pence emphasized that Trump was mistaken to claim that he had the power to reject the electoral votes during the certification process on that day, during a wide-ranging interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl.

“I had actually hoped that he would come around in time, that he would see the cadre of legal advisers that he surrounded himself with led him astray, but he hasn’t done so,” Pence said. “I think it’s one of the reasons why the country just wants a fresh start.”

Pence is contemplating a 2024 candidacy. He had previously avoided answering whether he would endorse Trump in 2024 during an interview with CBS earlier in the month, saying, “Well, I think we’ll have better choices, and I really trust Republican voters to sort it out.”

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has defended the decision to make it compulsory for hopefuls to take a pledge to be able to participate in the debates. The first debate is scheduled to take place in Wisconsin in August of this year.

“If you’re going to be on the Republican National Committee debate stage, asking voters to support you, you should say I’m going to support the voters and who they choose as the nominee,” McDaniel appeared on CNN.