CNN
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Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday denounced the conspiracy theory that the FBI incited the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as false.
“We’ve been assured over and over again that this is not true,” Pence told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” a day after the third anniversary of the attack.
“I have to say, being there that day and seeing people literally breaking windows and ransacking the Capitol, it was really upsetting. ‘Not here, not here, not the Capitol. “I remember thinking, ‘No,'” he said.
Pence added that he was “extremely grateful” for the FBI’s efforts to apprehend those who “ransacked the Capitol that day and assaulted police officers,” adding that he is “extremely grateful” for the FBI’s efforts to arrest those who “ransacked the Capitol that day and assaulted police officers.” demanded the restraint of law. ”
The attack “never should have happened. As I have said many times, the former president’s words that day were reckless. I believe history will judge his role in it.”
A recent Washington Post poll showed that one-third of Republicans believe in a conspiracy that the January 6th attack was instigated by the FBI, and former President Donald Trump also weighed in. I echoed this claim a few days ago.
Pence said those who believe these rumors “just need to look at the fact that the Capitol Police endured tremendous hardship and tremendous harm.”
The former vice president said the upcoming Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary are an opportunity for Republicans to “give our party a fresh start and new leadership to move our party forward in this election and beyond.”
During the attack on the Capitol, Pence was rushed from the Senate chamber as rioters stormed the halls of Congress demanding he be killed, while President Trump remained in the White House to watch the riot unfold.
The two did not speak for several days after the attack and have gone their separate ways ever since. Mr. Pence remained in Washington to attend Mr. Biden’s swearing-in ceremony, including the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration, and Mr. Trump departed for Florida before the ceremony began. .
This story has been updated with additional information.