On Jan. 6, 2021, during the attack on the US Capitol Vice President Mike Pence inspired me and hundreds of thousands of Americans because he was “too honest” to attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. If I understand correctly, Pence had to defy the advice of the Secret Service to leave the Capitol because he believed that he must reconvene Congress and vote that day or it would set a precedent for all future elections.

What a commitment to fulfilling his swearing in when, as our 48th vice president, he had placed his hands on two Bibles and swore to God and to us that he would “Defend the Constitution.” When tested on Jan. 6, he kept his pledge. He stood against the pressure of many. He defied a president who refused to accept the democratic process. Pence upheld Democracy.

What integrity! What courage! What a delight to hear with my own ears Pence accept the tally of all 51 states and affirm that the election was over. I thanked God for Pence. Since then, Pence has stated on various occasions, “Trump intentionally put himself over the Constitution. He should never be president again.”

What happened to that integrity on Saturday? With Saturday’s statement, isn’t Pence belittling our Constitution? By saying he would vote for Trump, isn’t Pence putting Trump above the Constitution?

In the midst of all the other accusations regarding the former president, let us keep our eyes on the main issue. In 2020, Trump – not Joe Biden or the Justice Department – was responsible for his behavior. Trump viewed himself as being above the Constitution. I believe he still does.

Pence is speaking with “forked tongue” when on one hand he declares his former boss should never be reelected; while on the other hand, he says if it came down to it, he would vote for him. What happened to integrity?

Rev. Bob Langseth

Calumet