Donald Trump ‘endangered me and my family’ says Mike Pence

Mike Pence sat down for an interview with ABC’s David Muir in his first network television interview since the insurrection. Parts of the interview were shown on Sunday evening with more footage set to be released on Monday. The former vice president is set to release a new memoir titled ‘So Help Me God’ on November 15. Mr Pence said he felt ‘angered’ by a tweet from Donald Trump as the Capitol riots took place, in which the former President targeted him.The tweet by Mr Trump read: ‘Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.’When asked about his reaction to the tweet, Mr Pence said: ‘I turned to my daughter, who was standing nearby, and I said, ‘It doesn’t take courage to break the law. It takes courage to uphold the law.”The former Vice President also described Mr Trump’s behaviour on the day of the Capitol riots as ‘reckless’. Mr Pence said he felt ‘angered’ by a tweet Donald Trump send as the Capitol riots took place. (Image: Getty Images)Mr Pence said: ‘It was clear Donald Trump decided to be part of the problem.’He added: “The President’s words that day at the rally [before the riot] endangered me and my family and everyone at the Capitol building.”Until now, Mr Pence has restrained from commenting about the January 6 riots, in which he had to be taken to safety as a crowd stormed the Capitol building.After the 2020 presidential election, Trump put pressure on Pence to block the certification after it was revealed President Joe Biden had won the result by 306 electoral college votes, while Mr Trump received 232.At the time, Mr Pence said he had no “unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes should be counted”.READ MORE: Democrats’ postal vote victories hasve panicked Tories and Republicans The day of the riots, Mr Trump tweeted criticisms of Mr Pence (Image: Getty Images)On Wednesday, January 6 2021 a crowd stormed the US Capitol building after Mr Trump said he believed the 2020 presidential election had been rigged.The morning of the riot, Mr Trump tweeted allegations of voter fraud which said: ‘States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud. Plus correct process never received legislative approval.’All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the states and we win. Do it, Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!’.Protests began after Mr Trump gave a speech, in which he said: We fight. We fight like hell and if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore. So let’s walk down Pennsylvania Avenue.”DON’T MISS: ‘Had low approvals’: Trump fires shot at rival Ron DeSantis [REVEAL]’I apologise’ Joe Biden admits key US mistake in keynote speech [REPORT]Trump branded ‘biggest loser’ for Republicans after tragic midterms [INSIGHT] Mr Pence described Mr Trump’s behaviour on the day of the Capitol riots as ‘reckless’. (Image: Getty Images)Mr Pence’s interview comes at a time the congressional panel currently investigating the Capitol riot has issued a legal summons for Mr Trump to testify.The document addressing the former president said: “You were at the centre of the first and only effort by any US President to overturn an election. You knew this activity was illegal and unconstitutional.’The panel originally wanted Mr Trump to appear for a deposition by November 14, but the deadline has been extended due to a request from Mr Trump’s lawyers.Now the former president is suing the Capitol riot committee to block the subpoena with the lawsuit filed this weekend in Flordia.The former president claims he still retained presidential privileges guaranteed by the constitution and the lawsuit stated: ‘While other Presidents and former presidents have voluntarily agreed to testify or turn over documents in response to a congressional subpoena, no President or former President has ever been compelled to do so.’