Former President Donald Trump lashed out at his former vice-president, Mike Pence, for refusing to back his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was fixed during a prime-time forum in New Hampshire. The event had already garnered attention when it was publicly announced last week.
Trump's relationship with CNN has been contentious; jurors in New York found that Trump had sexually abused and defamed advice columnist E. Jean Carroll but rejected her claim of rape. A small group of anti-Trump protesters gathered outside Saint Anselm College in Manchester where the town hall took place.
The forum also served as another contrast between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – considered a top rival for the GOP presidential nomination – and Trump. During the town hall, Trump said he would pardon a "large portion" of those federally charged for storming the Capitol on January 6 if he wins the 2024 election.
Kaitlan Collins, former Daily Caller reporter and current CNN host, pressed Trump on whether he would pardon Jan.6 prisoners: "I have two standards of justice in this country," replied Trump. "What they have done to so many people is nothing." He went on to say that if elected president again, he would likely pardon four Proud Boys members who were charged with seditious conspiracy.
Shifting focus towards Antifa radicals, whom he accused of facing no consequences for their crimes, former President Donald Trump reiterated his plan to potentially pardon a large portion of federal prisoners serving sentences related to the January 6 riot if reelected.
In summary, during Wednesday night's town hall meeting in New Hampshire, former President Donald Trump criticized Mike Pence for not supporting false election claims while discussing potential pardons upon winning future elections—a move that could spark further debate within Republican circles as key rivals like Ron DeSantis vie for the GOP presidential nomination.