Over 900 attend occasion with Pence
- Protesters involved with Pence stance on minority rights gathered outdoors MTSU's Tucker Theatre the place the former vp spoke
- Pence responded to the scholar considerations by saying nobody ought to really feel mistreated for who they're or what they imagine
- Pence remembers Secret Service wanting him to go away Capitol throughout riot
- Pence declines to endorse Harris for president
- Pence desires nationwide pro-life coverage
- Pence backs Israel
- Local GOP chief enjoys Pence speech
Former Republican Vice President Mike Pence instructed a Middle Tennessee State University viewers Tuesday about his position in certifying Democrat Joe Biden as the 2020 presidential election winner regardless of threats from rioters at the U.S. Capitol.
“I did my duty that day to support the Constitution of the United States,” Pence instructed about 900 individuals packed into Tucker Theatre at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Although the former vp confronted questions difficult his conservative positions, the crowd gave Pence a standing ovation when he entered the stage to be the visitor speaker of MTSU's Constitution Day celebration that is a part of the college's Constitution Week actions.
Some college students together with Aidan Ross and Alice Guo stood outdoors Tucker Theatre holding indicators to protest Pence due to his positions on the rights of minority populations.
“We're talking about the speech of everyone,” stated Ross, a junior audio manufacturing main at MTSU. “He's worked to silence the voices of LGBTQI+ and others. Democracy is the voice of everybody in America.”
“Pence doesn't really respect democracy,” stated Guo, a junior majoring in sociology and historical past.
Every week earlier than Pence's speech, some scholar organizations on campus like MTSU’s Young Democratic Socialists of America expressed disdain at the college scheduling him as speaker for the Constitution Day occasion. MTLAMBDA, the faculty’s largest LGBTQ+ group, additionally condemned the occasion in a social media assertion, detailing a variety of anti-LGBTQ+ positions Pence has taken over the years.
More: Ex-VP Mike Pence to speak at Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday, stirring student pushback
Pence: No one ought to really feel mistreated for who they're or what they imagine
MTSU historical past professor Mary A. Evins, the occasion moderator, requested Pence to talk to the considerations talked about by the college students.
Pence responded by saying nobody ought to really feel mistreated for who they're or what they imagine.
The former vp urged he accepts the U.S. Supreme Court determination to legalize marriage for homosexual {couples}.
Pence additionally supports the courtroom's ruling that supports the First Amendment spiritual freedom on how individuals really feel about the subject.
Pence remembers Secret Service wanting him to go away Capitol throughout riot
In addition to answering questions from the moderator, Pence responded to a number of viewers questions.
A journalism scholar requested Pence how he was doing following the dying threats he confronted for certifying Biden's election over former Republican President Donald Trump.
“Jan. 6 is a tragic day,” Pence stated. “President Trump was wrong. I had no right to overturn the election.”
Pence recalled the Secret Service advising him and his household to go away the Capitol.
“I was determined at that moment to stay at my post,” stated Pence, noting he had a accountability to certify the will of the American voters. “I had taken an oath. My duty was clear.”
Pence did comply with take shelter in a loading storage under the foremost flooring of the Capitol throughout the riot.
“I wasn't afraid,” Pence stated. “I was angry at what was happening at the seat of government.”
Pence praised the braveness of law enforcement officials going through the rioters and expressed unhappiness for the “tragic loss of life” of one among the protesters.
When the riot ended, the former vp recalled reconvening with members of Congress to “complete our work” required by the U.S. Constitution to certify the presidential election.
“We kept our oath that day,” stated Pence, who additionally instructed the viewers he took his oath to function vp utilizing former President Ronald Reagan's household Bible.
Pence declines to endorse Harris for president
In addition to speaking about certifying the election, Pence instructed the viewers he couldn't vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed Biden as president.
“She represents a radical left philosophy,” Pence stated.
Pence additionally stated he has variations in positions with Trump, together with spending 85% of the nationwide authorities price range on entitlements for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and curiosity on a $35 trillion debt.
Both Republicans and Democrats have walked away from being accountable with spending of tax {dollars}, Pence stated.
“The American people deserve better,” Pence stated. “I think it's a moral issue.”
The former vp reiterated his considerations about the nation debt by mentioning his settlement with the late Nobel prize profitable economist James Buchanan, an MTSU alumnus, about how incorrect it's for the nationwide authorities to pay for the wants of at the moment by borrowing from future generations.
“He shaped my thinking in profound ways,” stated Pence, including that he worries about his three grand-daughters and these of different generations being burdened with the nationwide debt.
Pence desires nationwide pro-life coverage
Pence additionally spoke in help of his pro-life positions that included the U.S. Supreme Court repealing the Roe v. Wade determination in 1973 that legalized abortion.
He urged legal guidelines that defend the reason for life by way of a compassionate method to win hearts and minds ought to be returned to the American individuals to resolve for the nation somewhat than for every of the states to find out as Trump supports.
The former vp additionally stated he backs the nation's help to assist Ukraine defend its sovereignty as a nation towards the invasion by Russian army led by President Vladimir Putin.
“America is the leader of the free world,” stated Pence, who worries Putin will resolve to invade extra international locations if profitable in defeating Ukraine.
A Putin-ordered invasion of an ally NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) nation would imply “our men and women have to go fight against Russia,” Pence stated.
Pence stated leaders of the free world ought to keep in mind the classes discovered from what occurred when Adolph Hitler led a NAZI Germany army that invaded different international locations.
“They didn't take a dictator seriously until it was too late,” Pence stated.
Pence backs Israel
The former vp additionally responded to a query about the struggle involving Israel.
Pence stated he visited Israel in January to see what occurred Oct. 7, “a day of horror.”
“It was a terrorism invasion,” Pence stated.
The former vp stated Hamas terrorists supposed to “kill as many Jews as they possibly could” by murdering, brutalizing and kidnapping victims at a music competition and in Israeli communities.
Pence stated America stands with Israel, and viewers members each applauded and booed.
“I think Israel has no choice but to defeat Hamas,” Pence stated.
The former vp additionally stated United States ought to grieve for victims, and help Palestinians searching for to rebuild cities and lives.
Among these in the viewers included the following elected officers and county leaders: Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Bill Shacklett, Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed, former Democratic state Sen. Andy Womack of Murfreesboro, MTSU President Sidney McPhee, college Provost Mark Byrnes, MTSU Board of Trustees Chairman Stephen Smith, Murfreesboro City Councilman Austin Maxwell, who's additionally chairman of the Rutherford County Republican Party, and former Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron, who's now a authorities relations specialist for the college.
Reach reporter Scott Broden with information ideas or questions by emailing him at [email protected]. To help his work with The Daily News Journal, join a digital subscription.
