CNN’s Jake Tapper Asks Ex-Trump VP Point-Blank ‘Do You Think Donald Trump Engaged In Insurrection?’

CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked ex-Trump Vice President Mike Pence point-blank, “Do you think Donald Trump engaged in insurrection?”

Trump has now been banned from Republican presidential primary ballots in two states — Colorado and Maine — on the grounds that he violated the 14th Amendment by engaging in insurrection on January 6.

On Sunday morning’s edition of CNN’s State of the Union, Tapper interviewed Pence, and wrapped up by asking point-blank if he thought Trump engaged in insurrection. Pence’s answer was a roundabout not-yes:

TAPPER: There was late news on Friday evening the U.S. Supreme Court is going to hear and decide whether former President Trump can be disqualified from a presidential ballot under the 14th Amendment’s ban on insurrectionists holding office.

Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney on Friday would not go so far as to say that she supports taking Trump off the ballot, but she did say — quote — “His actions clearly constituted an offense that is within the language of the 14th Amendment” — unquote.

My guess, covering you for some time now, is that you don’t support taking Trump off the ballot. You probably prefer that that be left up to the voters.

But, setting that aside, do you think Donald Trump engaged in insurrection?

PENCE: I have never called what happened on January 6 an insurrection.

And it is noteworthy that, even in the federal case in Washington, D.C., the president hasn’t been charged with insurrection. It — Jake, I was there. It was a riot, the way it broke out, and I have never seen it any other way.

And while I said that the president’s words were reckless, and I believe that history and the American people will hold him ultimately to account for his role in that day, I think these efforts to take the decision away from the American people are really antithetical to the very democracy that the President Biden and many Democrats talk about wanting to defend.

I’m very confident that the American people will choose wisely. I’m confident that we will run our elections. But removing the former president or any other candidate from the choice of the American people, I don’t believe is in the interest of the country.

And I have reason to be confident that the Supreme Court of the United States will see it just that way.

Watch above via CNN’s State of the Union.