Mike Pence describes a possible indictment against Trump as an act of the “radical left”.

Former Vice President Mike Pence stayed with his former employer on Sunday, arguing that a possible prosecution of Donald Trump would amount to a political victory.

Pence appeared on ABC This week, where he told host Jonathan Karl that an indictment of Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would simply give in to the “radical left.” It follows similar language from Pence in recent weeks as he considers a presidential bid in 2024.

“I am stunned by the idea of ​​indicting a former President of the United States during a crime wave in New York City,” Pence told Karl. “The fact that the Manhattan Attorney’s Office thinks indicting President Trump is his top priority, I think … just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left in this country.”

Pence hasn’t shied away from criticizing his former comrade-in-arms in recent months, though he’s been less and less keen on pushing his charges. He sneered, “Here we go again” to reporters in Iowa on Saturday, describing an indictment (which Trump claimed would come Tuesday, despite no notification from the Manhattan Attorney’s Office) as politically motivated.

“Another politically charged indictment against the former President of the United States,” Pence said Des Moines Register. “I think many Americans are surprised by the unprecedented indictment of a former president, but also by the fact that amid a crime spate in New York City, Manhattan DAs then say indicting the former president is their top priority. ”

Pence’s comments followed what he told reporters Thursday in New Hampshire, where he left the decision to drop the race after an indictment against Trump up to him.

“Look, it’s a free country,” he said loudly Politically. “Everyone can make their own decisions.”

However, Pence seemed more willing to support an investigation into Trump than he has in the past. Karl asked if Pence would consider speaking with Special Counsel Jack Smith on issues unrelated to Pence’s role as Senate President, a defense he has promised to use in court to try, before Special Counsel to speak. Smith examines Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents after leaving office.

Pence noted his tight defense, although he would not directly confirm whether he would appear before Smith on other matters.

“I have instructed my attorneys to convincingly defend my role as Senate President, who is presiding over and preparing for a joint session of Congress that day, and we will let the courts sort it out,” he said never asserted that other matters unrelated to January 6 would otherwise be protected by speech and debate.”