This Week with George Stephanopoulos: Former Vice President Mike Pence

Interview

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I can't wait to get to that debate stage, and I hope everybody shows up.

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Thank you, Jon.

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Well, first off, the handling of classified materials is enormously serious in the life of the nation. But I can't really comment on your reporting. But, in my case, I was never made aware of any broad-based effort to declassify documents.

There is a process that the White House goes through to declassify materials. I'm aware of that occurring on several cases over the course of our four years. But I don't have any knowledge of any broad-based directive from the president. But that doesn't mean it didn't occur, I just -- it's just not something that I ever heard about.

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I -- you know, I would expect so. But, again, you know, I sure hope we're not getting back into the lane of leaks from the Justice Department about these cases.

You know, the special counsel is currently working on investigating Joe Biden's pattern of retaining classified materials. We haven't heard a peep out of that. I know there's discussion about them making arrangements for President Biden to be interviewed for that.

But, look, I -- look, President Trump is entitled to a presumption of innocence. He's entitled to his day in court. And -- and I'm just not going to comment on the latest leak or the latest reporting coming out of that process.

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Well, I -- I -- I -- I would tell you that the -- it is the function of the Congress to determine membership where there's ethical violations. And -- and I remember the Traficant case from about 20 years ago. It was really quite outrageous, Jon.

But if you're saying would I -- would I apply that to my former running mate in this race, look, I -- I think that needs to be left to the American people. Look, let's -- let's -- let's let -- have -- the former president have his day in court. Let's maintain a presumption of innocence in -- in this matter and in the other matter that, you know, unfolded this week here in Georgia.

But -- but, you know, it -- I've said many times, Jon, I would have preferred that these matters be left to the judgment of the American people. I mean no one's above the law, but -- but with regard to the president's future, I -- my hope is when we get to that debate stage, and I'm -- I'm still kind of hoping maybe he'll come, is that we -- we can really have a debate about the challenges facing the American people, the issues the American people are -- are facing in the wake of the failed policies of the Biden administration.

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Well, you know, I've had a little bit of experience with nationally televised debates. But it's -- it's different with a group on stage. And, look, I'm -- I'm just going to be me. I mean I feel like I've been preparing for this first Republican presidential debate my whole life. And, frankly, as Karen and I have traveled all across the country, that one of the things we've come to realize is that I'm well known, but I'm not known well. Most -- most people know me as that -- that loyal vice president who fought alongside President Trump until the day came that my oath to the Constitution required me to stand apart.

But -- but, you know, you've known me, Jon, a long time. You knew me back when I was a House conservative leader fighting big spenders in my own party. You knew me when I was a conservative governor showing you could balance budgets and cut taxes and expand educational choice and achieve record employment.

You know, one of my goals in -- in that debate is -- is for the American people, Republican primary voters, to get to know me in a little bit broader context and to demonstrate the kind of leadership that we bring to this, which I think is what the moment calls for.

Look, this country's in a lot of trouble. Joe Biden has weakened America at home and abroad. I think there's no time for on-the-job training. I want to project when I'm on that stage to the American people all of what came with the experience of serving as vice president, as a governor, and as a member of Congress. And my determination to bring that experience and that conservative record to bear on the challenges facing this country.

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Well, you know, I -- I served alongside the president for a long time. And one thing I realized about him, it's not over till it's over. So --

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I'm actually still hoping he shows up, you know, Jon. I mean, you know, to -- to -- to get on that plane and -- Trump Force One and head up --

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And head out on that stage.

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I think, look, I think -- I think every one of us that have qualified for that debate stage ought to be on the stage, be willing to square off, answer the tough questions, and also draw a bright line contrast.

You know, my differences with -- with -- with the former president go far beyond that tragic day in January two and a half years ago. As I've said many times, I mean now I see the president and others on the stage walking away from America's leadership in the world, our role as the arsenal of democracy. I -- I see the president literally walking away from a commitment of fiscal responsibility and reform. I mean President Trump's position on entitlement reform.

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Yes, look, President -- President Biden's policy on reforming entitlements in this country is insolvency, and the former president's position is identical to Joe Biden's position. They won't even talk about common-sense reforms of Social Security and Medicare for younger Americans.

And, as you know, I'm pro-life. I don't apologize for it. And I see not only the former president but others on the stage trying to relegate the question of abortion to a states-only issue. And I want people to know my long record being a champion for the right to life and that I'll...

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I'll champion the cause of life in every statehouse and in the Oval Office if I'm president of the United States.

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Well, you know -- you know they talk a little different in New Jersey than they would do out in Indiana, Jon, so...

Look, I'll let other people make their judgment. But I hope he's be there. I hope everybody that's qualified for the debate stage, and I'm grateful we did, is on that stage. And, you know, let's talk about the challenges facing the American people, and let's talk about what each of us brings to meet that moment. Because we have got to come together and make it clear that Joe Biden must never be re-elected president of the United States and we have a better future for the American people.

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Thank you.

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