Vice President Pence Makes Call for Civility in Politics, says Jan. 6 Defendants who Assaulted Police Should Not Have Been Pardoned

BOSTON, Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vice President Mike Pence today told an audience at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate that while he had "no qualms" about President Trump pardoning Jan. 6 defendants who did not commit acts of violence, he disagreed with pardons for those who assaulted police officers. 

"People who assaulted police officers should never have been pardoned," Pence said to applause from many of the approximately 200 audience members. 

Pence, speaking in the institute's full-sized replica of the US Senate Chamber, also acknowledged a flood of memories upon entering the room. He said he had not been in the actual Senate Chamber since Jan. 6, 2021. 

Pence said he is proud that "by God's grace I did my duty on Jan. 6 to see the peaceful transfer of power in the United States. 

"To be here in a similar environment flooded my mind with memories. I hope it will be remembered as a triumph of freedom thanks to the courage of law enforcement… Every member in the chamber, Republican and Democrat, came back to their post and did their duty and I believe history will remember it that way."

During a discussion with podcaster Meghan McCain that lasted more than an hour, titled "Populism, Conservatism and Civility: A Conversation with Mike Pence," Pence said that Americans of all political leanings have the duty to condemn violence and promote civility. 

He warned against having the knee jerk reaction of blaming an entire party when "a deranged individual" commits an act of political violence. The former vice president, however, also was troubled by a survey cited by McCain, that found that five times as many young liberals said political violence is sometimes justified as did young conservatives.

"That should be a wake-up call for my friends in the Democratic party and the leaders on the progressive left," Pence said. "Political violence has to be universally condemned."

Pence, the nation's 48th vice president and former governor of and congressman from Indiana, agreed with McCain that social media plays a role in indoctrinating young people into a culture where political violence is acceptable. 

"We have to raise up our children, as the Good Book says, in the way they should go and the way they should go is that we settle our differences through the political process and reject violence."

Pence's discussion about the need for civility and peaceful debate took on added resonance — and poignance — in the wake of the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Pence said he was "heartsick" over the murder of Kirk, whom he called "a good and decent and honorable young man who literally gave his life championing freedom of debate on college campuses."

He also cited the attempted violence directed at Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the arson of Pennsylvania Governor John Shapiro's home, the murders of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and the attacks on ICE agents as examples of the growing trend toward violence against political opponents. 

"I think democracy depends on heavy doses of civility," Pence said. "It is incumbent on all of us who have been in public roles to think carefully about how we talk about one another. I can say that you're wrong about an issue without saying you're a bad person."

Still, Pence said, he is confident that the majority of US citizens — McCain called them the silent majority whose politics are center-right and center-left — embrace bipartisanship. 

"I'm not convinced the American people are as divided as our politics," he said, noting that many Americans have friends and colleagues who have different political views. "Americans find a way to work together. Our government has to be as good as our people again."

Pence said justice for those who commit mass shootings or acts of political violence should be "more swift and more certain … without compromising due process."

Asked by McCain about the federal government shutdown that began today, Pence said it could have been avoided. 

"It's disappointing that people could not find a way to move forward to fund vital programs that people depend on," Pence said, noting that the major parties were deadlocked over the Republicans wanting to add $2 trillion in debt and the Democrats wanting to add $3 million in debt.

He said the Republican Party should recommit to its historical emphasis on fiscal conservatism. 

"There seems to be a consensus that we will do nothing to set our ship back on a course of fiscal conservatism" he said. He called on Republicans to "stand firm" on the issue of ending Obamacare subsidies. "They were meant to be temporary," he said. 

Pence praised President Trump for "ending the crisis on the southern border" and for taking military action against Iran's nuclear program. He also expressed support for Israel and Ukraine, and said that people who think President Trump is an isolationist are incorrect.

 "The Donald Trump I know is not an isolationist. His bias is to lead. His bias to be out front," he said.

Today's discussion between Pence and McCain was one of three signature events the Kennedy Institute is holding to celebrate its 10th anniversary. In June, the institute hosted a discussion on a wide range of policy issues with Senators John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, and Dave McCormack, Republican of Pennsylvania. On Oct. 26, the institute will honor President Joe Biden with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"We are now the leading and most influential institute educating people as to the importance of bipartisanship," Kennedy Institute Chairman Bruce Percelay said. "Never before in recent times has this country been more divided and is the notion of bipartisanship more important than it is today."

 Kennedy Institute CEO Adam Hinds said, "gatherings like this bend our politics toward trust."

McCain, the daughter of late Senator John McCain, recalled as a child going with her father to visit Senator Edward Kennedy in his office, where she played with Kennedy's Portuguese water dogs while the two senators talked business. 

Pence recalled and praised Senator McCain's famous speech about democracy when he returned to Washington after an absence to receive treatment for cancer: 

"The remarks he made in the floor, I think, should be required listening for Americans," Pence said. 

The discussion with Pence served as the content of McCain's "Citizen McCain" podcast today. 

Pence showed several flashes of his trademark self-deprecating humor. He recounted his 2020 vice presidential debate against Kamala Harris, during which a fly landed on his head for several minutes.

"When I go to glory, there may be a moment when I look at the Lord and say, 'thank you for all the blessings, but the fly, was that really necessary?'"

About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities. Learn more at emkinstitute.org.

SOURCE Edward M Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate