On this “Face the Nation” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan, the guests include Former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat of Illinois, and Mike Gallagher, Republican of Wisconsin, Kara Swisher, author of “Burn Book,” and UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell. Click here to browse full transcripts of “Face the Nation.”
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m Margaret Brennan in Washington. And this week on Face the Nation: Congress tries a takedown of TikTok’s Chinese ownership, and the split between some allies of Israel and the Netanyahu government grows. With the arrival of spring in the nation’s capital, House lawmakers moved with surprising speed to push a bipartisan bill to try and force the social media platform TikTok to change the way they do business. But with 170 million American TikTok users, what’s not so surprising is the politics playing a part in the back-and-forth over a ban, since both parties see the app as a platform to woo young voters. (Begin VT) REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI (D-California): This is not an attempt to ban TikTok. It’s an attempt to make TikTok better, tic-tac-toe, a winner. (End VT) MARGARET BRENNAN: We will talk with the heads of the House Committee on Communist China, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Mike Gallagher, and tech journalist Kara Swisher. Plus, with the aid package to Ukraine and Israel languishing on Capitol Hill, new criticism of the Israeli government’s handling of the war in Gaza makes its outlook even more uncertain. (Begin VT) SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER (D-New York): Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of Israel. (End VT) MARGARET BRENNAN: We will talk with Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen. He’s pushing for tighter control on aid to Israel. Plus, we will talk with the head of UNICEF about the dire situation facing hundreds of millions of the world’s children. And one year after his public split with the former president over January 6, we will sit down with Mike Pence. He says he won’t endorse Trump, but can he convince others to follow his lead? It’s all just ahead on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation on this St. Patrick’s Day. Former Vice President Mike Pence joins us in person, in studio. Good morning to you, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE (R-Presidential Candidate): Good morning, Margaret. Good to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There’s a lot to get to with you today. But I want to begin with some remarks Mr. Trump made yesterday at a rally in Ohio. He walked onto the stage to a song recorded by a choir of prisoners facing charges for their role in the violence of January the 6th. Take a listen. (Begin VT) DONALD TRUMP (Former President of the United States (R) and Current U.S. Presidential Candidate): You see the spirit from the hostages, and that’s what they are is hostages. They’ve been treated terribly and very unfairly, and you know that, and everybody knows that. And we’re going to be working on that soon. The first day we get into office, we’re going to save our country, and we’re going to work with the people to treat those unbelievable patriots, and they were unbelievable patriots and are. (End VT) MARGARET BRENNAN: I know, in the past, you’ve said Mr. Trump’s reckless words endangered you and your family on that day. What do you think when you hear him refer to those people facing charges as hostages and patriots?
MIKE PENCE: Well, I think it’s very unfortunate, at a time that there are American hostages being held in Gaza, that the president or any other leaders would refer to people that are moving through our – our justice system as hostages. And it’s just – it’s just unacceptable. I was there on January 6. I have no doubt in my mind, Margaret, that, that some people were caught up in the moment, and that entered the Capitol. And – and they’re certainly entitled to due process of law for any nonviolent activities that day. But the assaults on police officers, ultimately, an environment that claimed lives, is something that I – I think was tragic that day. And I will – I will never diminish it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And the legal system is processing these individuals through and giving them trials. I wonder what you think, though, about Mr. Trump and whether the public needs to hear and see some of the evidence in regard to the federal charges related to his alleged role in January 6? Do you think that needs to happen before Election Day?
MIKE PENCE: Well, I – look, I think the American people lived through that moment. I and my family and my team lived through it at the Capitol that day. I think most Americans know what happened. I – you know, as I have said before, I – I truly do believe that – that the judgment about the president’s conduct that day should have been left to the American people. I know it’s been brought into a criminal trial now. And – and we have cases around the country that have been brought related to that, notably in Georgia. But, at the end of the day, I think the American people know what happened that day. I – I said, the people that – the people that ransacked the Capitol need to be held to the fullest account of the law. And I believe that they are. But the judgment about the president’s efforts that day, I think can be left to the American people. But – but, look, I – I said last week that, after a lot of prayer and reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I’m – I won’t be endorsing Donald Trump this year.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
MIKE PENCE: I mean, look, I’m very proud of the record of our administration, Margaret. It was a record that left America more prosperous, and – and more secure and – and our liberties and the sanctity of life stronger than ever before in my lifetime.
MARGARET BRENNAN: But you’ve said Mr. Trump’s walked away from conservative principles.
MIKE PENCE: Well, I do. I said it during my presidential campaign. The president and I have profound differences. And many people think it’s just over January 6. And, frankly, the fact that the president continues to insist that – that I had the right to overturn the election that day is a fundamental difference.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
MIKE PENCE: But I want to be clear that I – I have forgiven the president in my heart for what happened that day. I – as a Christian, I’m required to do that. I have prayed for him in that regard. But the – the issue of fealty to the Constitution is not a small matter.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
MIKE PENCE: But it’s not just that. I mean, the reason that I – I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump this year also has to do with the fact that he is walking away not just from keeping faith with the Constitution on that day, but also, Margaret, with a commitment to fiscal responsibility, a commitment…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes.
MIKE PENCE: … to the sanctity of life, a – a commitment to American leadership in the world. I mean, the president’s reversal just in the last week on – on TikTok…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
MIKE PENCE: … following an administration where – where we literally changed the national consensus on China, is the reason why I – after a lot of reflection, I just concluded I – I cannot endorse the agenda that Donald Trump is carrying into this national debate.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is that the final word from you? Can you be persuaded, if he changes tacks, to vote for him? Would you vote for him?
MIKE PENCE: I – I won’t be endorsing Donald Trump this year. But, look, I want to be clear…
MARGARET BRENNAN: But would you vote for him?
MIKE PENCE: … I respect the right of Republican voters who’ve made it clear who they’re for, who they want to be our standard-bearer this year.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mm-hmm.
MIKE PENCE: What I’m going to focus my energies on is in the – what remains…
