Former US vice president Mike Pence told special counsel Jack Smith earlier this year that former US president Donald Trump had 'crank' attorneys advising him after 2020 US Presidential Election and he almost pushed the US towards a 'constitutional crisis', ABC News reported citing sources. Pence reportedly told Smith that Trump espoused 'un-American' legal theories.&nbsp;

After the presidential elections, as it gradually emerged that Trump would lose, he repeatedly alleged that elections were rigged and even tried putting pressure on state officials to overturn the results that were going against him. His battery of lawyers filed lawsuits in courts across US including US Supreme Court. Trump's claims were rejected by all these courts.

In addition to Trump's attempts to overturn election results, Special Counsel Jack Smith is also overseeing the investigation into Trump's mishandling of secret government documents post his tenure as president.

Watch | The return of Donald Trump: Trade, immigration, war policy in spotlight

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ABC News cited sources to say that Pence also told investigators that there was no significant evidence of election fraud just days before January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol building. But Trump was reportedly unfazed.

<h2>Will Pence take stand against Trump?</h2>

Pence is the highest-ranking government official, current or former, to have reportedly spoken with team of the special counsel. The team is prosecuting Trump for allegedly attempting to "remain in power" unlawfully and trying to "erode public faith" in democratic institutions.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-pm-justin-trudeau-says-political-rival-abandoning-ukraine-due-to-donald-trumps-influence-662587">Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says political rival abandoning Ukraine due to Donald Trump's influence</a>

If the case against Trump goes to trial phase, there is a possibility that Pence may take a stand against Trump. The trial is due to begin in March.

The team of the special counsel reportedly asked Pence to confirm under oath various claims and opinions in the book he wrote.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-trump-pledges-to-scrap-bidens-asia-trade-initiative-if-elected-660234">US: Donald Trump pledges to scrap Biden's Asia trade initiative if elected</a>

It has also been reported that according to Pence's notes included in US National Archives, Pence for a moment decided that he would skip the meeting of Congress which would later certify Joe Biden's victory. But he subsequently decided to show up as he thought it was his duty.

Pence has been a close Trump ally but the equation between the two faltered amid Trump's attempts to overturn election results.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US vice president Mike Pence told special counsel Jack Smith earlier this year that former US president Donald Trump had 'crank' attorneys advising him after 2020 US Presidential Election and he almost pushed the US towards a 'constitutional crisis', ABC News reported citing sources.

Former US vice president Mike Pence told special counsel Jack Smith earlier this year that former US president Donald Trump had 'crank' attorneys advising him after 2020 US Presidential Election and he almost pushed the US towards a 'constitutional crisis', ABC News reported citing sources. Pence reportedly told Smith that Trump espoused 'un-American' legal theories. After the presidential elections, as it gradually emerged that Trump would lose, he repeatedly alleged that elections were rigged and even tried putting pressure on state officials to overturn the results that were going against him. His battery of lawyers filed lawsuits in courts across US including US Supreme Court. Trump's claims were rejected by all these courts. In addition to Trump's attempts to overturn election results, Special Counsel Jack Smith is also overseeing the investigation into Trump's mishandling of secret government documents post his tenure as president. Watch | The return of Donald Trump: Trade, immigration, war policy in spotlight × ABC News cited sources to say that Pence also told investigators that there was no significant evidence of election fraud just days before January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol building. But Trump was reportedly unfazed. Will Pence take stand against Trump? Pence is the highest-ranking government official, current or former, to have reportedly spoken with team of the special counsel. The team is prosecuting Trump for allegedly attempting to "remain in power" unlawfully and trying to "erode public faith" in democratic institutions. Also Read | Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says political rival abandoning Ukraine due to Donald Trump's influence If the case against Trump goes to trial phase, there is a possibility that Pence may take a stand against Trump. The trial is due to begin in March. The team of the special counsel reportedly asked Pence to confirm under oath various claims and opinions in the book he wrote. Also Read | US: Donald Trump pledges to scrap Biden's Asia trade initiative if elected It has also been reported that according to Pence's notes included in US National Archives, Pence for a moment decided that he would skip the meeting of Congress which would later certify Joe Biden's victory. But he subsequently decided to show up as he thought it was his duty. Pence has been a close Trump ally but the equation between the two faltered amid Trump's attempts to overturn election results. (With inputs from agencies)

Pence says 'crank' attorneys advised Trump after 2020 polls: Report

Former Republican Vice President Mike Pence is set to enter the race to get party nomination&nbsp;for US Presidential Elections 2024, reported Reuters citing two unnamed sources. According to the report, Pence will launch his campaign with a video and a speech in Iowa, an early nominating state.

Pence is a staunch social conservative. He was vice president during the tenure of former US president Donald Trump. Pence stood by Trump during his time in the office.&nbsp;

However, he has increasingly distanced himself from Trump after the latter's defeat in US Presidential Election 2020. Pence has maintained that Trump's encouragement of Capitol Hill rioters on January 6, 2021 put him and his family in danger.

Trump has already declared that he would seek to become president in 2024. Currently, he has a huge polling lead in a Republican field which now has six declared candidates. It is being believed that such a scenario is likely to splinter opposition to Trump.

Watch | Race for White House: Advantage Trump, but suburban women feel former President 'toxic'

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 44, jumped into the contest last week and another high-profile Republican, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, is expected to join the race next week.

Nikki Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and Trump's first ambassador to the United Nations, is also seeking the Republican nomination, along with South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Tough work ahead for Pence

According to RealClearPolitics average of polls, Pence's polling average in the Republican field is less than 4 per cent as of June 1. Trump on the other hand, averages at 53 per cent.

Pence, although embracing many of Trump's policies, has chosen to portray himself as an even-keeled and consensus-oriented alternative.

He has also appealed more directly to the evangelical Christian community, having spent significant time in recent months touring mega-churches across the country.

The success of Pence's campaign will depend on how well he can attract supporters of Trump's policies who are put off by the former president's behaviour and rhetoric.

Pence - a former governor of Indiana and a one-time party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives - will also test voters' appetite for an establishment Republican in a party where voters have increasingly turned to outsiders.

(With inputs from agencies)

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&nbsp;

Former Republican Vice President Mike Pence is set to enter the race to get party nomination for US Presidential Elections 2024, reported Reuters citing two unnamed sources.

Former Republican Vice President Mike Pence is set to enter the race to get party nomination for US Presidential Elections 2024, reported Reuters citing two unnamed sources. According to the report, Pence will launch his campaign with a video and a speech in Iowa, an early nominating state. Pence is a staunch social conservative. He was vice president during the tenure of former US president Donald Trump. Pence stood by Trump during his time in the office. However, he has increasingly distanced himself from Trump after the latter's defeat in US Presidential Election 2020. Pence has maintained that Trump's encouragement of Capitol Hill rioters on January 6, 2021 put him and his family in danger. Trump has already declared that he would seek to become president in 2024. Currently, he has a huge polling lead in a Republican field which now has six declared candidates. It is being believed that such a scenario is likely to splinter opposition to Trump. Watch | Race for White House: Advantage Trump, but suburban women feel former President 'toxic' × Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 44, jumped into the contest last week and another high-profile Republican, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, is expected to join the race next week. Nikki Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and Trump's first ambassador to the United Nations, is also seeking the Republican nomination, along with South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Tough work ahead for Pence According to RealClearPolitics average of polls, Pence's polling average in the Republican field is less than 4 per cent as of June 1. Trump on the other hand, averages at 53 per cent. Pence, although embracing many of Trump's policies, has chosen to portray himself as an even-keeled and consensus-oriented alternative. He has also appealed more directly to the evangelical Christian community, having spent significant time in recent months touring mega-churches across the country. The success of Pence's campaign will depend on how well he can attract supporters of Trump's policies who are put off by the former president's behaviour and rhetoric. Pence - a former governor of Indiana and a one-time party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives - will also test voters' appetite for an establishment Republican in a party where voters have increasingly turned to outsiders. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Former US VP Mike Pence to launch presidential campaign: Report

In his first public comments since classified documents were found at his residence in Indiana, the former United States Vice President Mike Pence&nbsp;said on Friday (January 27) that he takes “full responsibility” for the incident. This comes days after media reports first emerged that dozens of documents marked classified were discovered at Pence’s residence in Indiana by his lawyers on January 16. However, the former VP’s legal counsel at the time had said that Pence was “unaware” of the existence of the papers in question which have since been handed over to the FBI.&nbsp;

While speaking about the economy and promoting his new book “So Help Me God” at Florida International University, Pence said, “Let me be clear: Those classified documents should not have been in my personal residence…Mistakes were made, and I take full responsibility.” A total of four boxes containing copies of administration paper documents found at Pence’s Indiana residence are said to be from his time as the vice president from 2017 to 2021 when Donald&nbsp;Trump was the president, reported the Associated Press.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-investigators-find-more-classified-documents-at-president-bidens-home-in-delaware-554803">US: Investigators find six more classified documents at President Biden’s home in Delaware</a>

The discovery of the documents was first reported by CNN on January 25 after two letters written by Greg Jacob, Pence’s legal counsel to the National Archives were procured by the US media. This comes as incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are under investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for retaining classified documents from their time in office.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/after-biden-classified-documents-found-at-former-us-vp-mike-pences-indiana-home-555937">After Biden, classified documents found at former US VP Mike Pence's Indiana home</a>

“We acted above politics and put national interests first,” said Pence in Florida on Friday and hoped that people would acknowledge that he swiftly acted to correct the error. The former vice president also noted that national security depends on the proper handling of classified documents. Notably, Pence had previously said that he did not retain any classified documents or information from his time in office.

In a letter dated January 18, the former VP’s lawyer wrote that the records “appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former vice president at the end of the last administration”. According to Jacob, out of the four boxes, two had a “small number of papers appearing to bear classified markings” while the other two contained “courtesy copies of vice presidential papers.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/classified-documents-found-at-former-us-vp-mike-pences-home-report-555660">Classified documents found at former US vice president Mike Pence’s home: Reports</a>

The former US VP’s lawyer said that the search was called for by Pence following the discovery of classified documents at Biden's Wilmington residence “out of an abundance of caution.” However, since the discovery, he said that his legal counsel will “cooperate fully” with the National Archives, Department of Justice and Congress for the inquiry.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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In his first public comments since classified documents were found at his residence in Indiana, the former United States Vice President Mike Pence said on Friday (January 27) that he takes “full responsibility” for the incident.

In his first public comments since classified documents were found at his residence in Indiana, the former United States Vice President Mike Pence said on Friday (January 27) that he takes “full responsibility” for the incident. This comes days after media reports first emerged that dozens of documents marked classified were discovered at Pence’s residence in Indiana by his lawyers on January 16. However, the former VP’s legal counsel at the time had said that Pence was “unaware” of the existence of the papers in question which have since been handed over to the FBI. While speaking about the economy and promoting his new book “So Help Me God” at Florida International University, Pence said, “Let me be clear: Those classified documents should not have been in my personal residence…Mistakes were made, and I take full responsibility.” A total of four boxes containing copies of administration paper documents found at Pence’s Indiana residence are said to be from his time as the vice president from 2017 to 2021 when Donald Trump was the president, reported the Associated Press. ALSO READ | US: Investigators find six more classified documents at President Biden’s home in Delaware The discovery of the documents was first reported by CNN on January 25 after two letters written by Greg Jacob, Pence’s legal counsel to the National Archives were procured by the US media. This comes as incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are under investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for retaining classified documents from their time in office. ALSO WATCH | After Biden, classified documents found at former US VP Mike Pence's Indiana home “We acted above politics and put national interests first,” said Pence in Florida on Friday and hoped that people would acknowledge that he swiftly acted to correct the error. The former vice president also noted that national security depends on the proper handling of classified documents. Notably, Pence had previously said that he did not retain any classified documents or information from his time in office. In a letter dated January 18, the former VP’s lawyer wrote that the records “appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former vice president at the end of the last administration”. According to Jacob, out of the four boxes, two had a “small number of papers appearing to bear classified markings” while the other two contained “courtesy copies of vice presidential papers.” ALSO READ | Classified documents found at former US vice president Mike Pence’s home: Reports The former US VP’s lawyer said that the search was called for by Pence following the discovery of classified documents at Biden's Wilmington residence “out of an abundance of caution.” However, since the discovery, he said that his legal counsel will “cooperate fully” with the National Archives, Department of Justice and Congress for the inquiry. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former US VP Pence takes ‘full responsibility’ for classified records found at his Indiana home

Amid the ongoing probe into Jan 6 riots in the United States, the US Department of Justice seeks to question Pence. This is according to the latest report. Watch here.

US: Report says DOJ seeks to question Pence in Jan 6 probe

The United States Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion, saying that individual states can now permit or restrict the procedure themselves, as reported by AFP.

"The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," the court said.

&nbsp;

An angry President Joe Biden called on voters Friday to rise up over the Supreme Court's "tragic error" in ending the constitutional right to abortion, warning that an "extreme ideology" is already targeting other rights.

"The court has done what it has never done before -- expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans," Biden said in the White House after the conservative-dominated Supreme Court overturned "Roe v. Wade."

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President Biden delivers remarks on the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade. <a href="https://t.co/nUiI79bxrE">https://t.co/nUiI79bxrE</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1540373668580179968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Former US President Barack Obama slammed the decision by the Supreme Court to throw out the right to abortion in the United States by calling it an attack on "essential freedoms."

"Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues -- attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," the Democrat tweeted.

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Across the country, states have already passed bills restricting choice. If you're looking for ways to respond, <a href="https://twitter.com/PPFA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PPFA</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/USOWomen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USOWomen</a>, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and will continue to be on the front lines of this fight. <a href="https://t.co/PpXBEcbL2S">pic.twitter.com/PpXBEcbL2S</a>
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1540340648972279813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Former US vice president Mike Pence on Friday said the right to abortion had been "consigned to the ash heap of history" as he hailed a Supreme Court ruling that ended 50 years of constitutional protections.

"By returning the question of abortion to the states and the people, this Supreme Court has righted a historic wrong, and reaffirmed the right of the American people to govern themselves," said Pence, a Republican potential presidential candidate and leading anti-abortion campaigner.

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Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn...
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1540337831297654784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The leading abortion provider in the United States, Planned Parenthood, vowed Friday it would "never stop fighting" for those in need, after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure.

"We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now -- hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We're here with you -- and we'll never stop fighting for you," the organization tweeted.

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BREAKING: The Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, ending our constitutional right to abortion. We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now — hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We’re here with you — and we’ll never stop fighting for you.
— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PPFA/status/1540340537114378241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As reported by AP, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he was acting immediately to enforce a state law banning abortion except in “cases of medical emergency.”

He tweeted, “Following the SCOTUS ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Missouri has just become the first in the country to effectively end abortion with our AG opinion signed moments ago. This is a monumental day for the sanctity of life.”

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THREAD: Today is a historic day, but we also remember over 60 million innocent lives lost. There was a lot of work behind the scenes before we achieved this incredible victory. Here are some of our efforts to protect all, including the unborn. <a href="https://t.co/rI8GTLgr5r">pic.twitter.com/rI8GTLgr5r</a>
— Attorney General Eric Schmitt (@AGEricSchmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGEricSchmitt/status/1540339949550981121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A women’s organisation called the United State of Women tweeted, “Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action.”

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Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action. Pledge to join our fight at <a href="https://t.co/MkU2BC1si3">https://t.co/MkU2BC1si3</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BansOffOurBodies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BansOffOurBodies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeWontGoBack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeWontGoBack</a> <a href="https://t.co/2EybznJnXy">pic.twitter.com/2EybznJnXy</a>
— UnitedStateofWomen (@USOWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/USOWomen/status/1540338026664034307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United States Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion, saying that individual states can now permit or restrict the procedure themselves, as reported by AFP.

The United States Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion, saying that individual states can now permit or restrict the procedure themselves, as reported by AFP. "The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," the court said. An angry President Joe Biden called on voters Friday to rise up over the Supreme Court's "tragic error" in ending the constitutional right to abortion, warning that an "extreme ideology" is already targeting other rights. "The court has done what it has never done before -- expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans," Biden said in the White House after the conservative-dominated Supreme Court overturned "Roe v. Wade." President Biden delivers remarks on the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade. https://t.co/nUiI79bxrE — President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2022 × Former US President Barack Obama slammed the decision by the Supreme Court to throw out the right to abortion in the United States by calling it an attack on "essential freedoms." "Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues -- attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," the Democrat tweeted. Across the country, states have already passed bills restricting choice. If you're looking for ways to respond, @PPFA, @USOWomen, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and will continue to be on the front lines of this fight. pic.twitter.com/PpXBEcbL2S — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 24, 2022 × Former US vice president Mike Pence on Friday said the right to abortion had been "consigned to the ash heap of history" as he hailed a Supreme Court ruling that ended 50 years of constitutional protections. "By returning the question of abortion to the states and the people, this Supreme Court has righted a historic wrong, and reaffirmed the right of the American people to govern themselves," said Pence, a Republican potential presidential candidate and leading anti-abortion campaigner. Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn... — Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 24, 2022 × The leading abortion provider in the United States, Planned Parenthood, vowed Friday it would "never stop fighting" for those in need, after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure. "We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now -- hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We're here with you -- and we'll never stop fighting for you," the organization tweeted. BREAKING: The Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, ending our constitutional right to abortion. We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now — hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We’re here with you — and we’ll never stop fighting for you. — Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) June 24, 2022 × As reported by AP, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he was acting immediately to enforce a state law banning abortion except in “cases of medical emergency.” He tweeted, “Following the SCOTUS ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Missouri has just become the first in the country to effectively end abortion with our AG opinion signed moments ago. This is a monumental day for the sanctity of life.” THREAD: Today is a historic day, but we also remember over 60 million innocent lives lost. There was a lot of work behind the scenes before we achieved this incredible victory. Here are some of our efforts to protect all, including the unborn. pic.twitter.com/rI8GTLgr5r — Attorney General Eric Schmitt (@AGEricSchmitt) June 24, 2022 × A women’s organisation called the United State of Women tweeted, “Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action.” Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action. Pledge to join our fight at https://t.co/MkU2BC1si3.#BansOffOurBodies #WeWontGoBack pic.twitter.com/2EybznJnXy — UnitedStateofWomen (@USOWomen) June 24, 2022 × (with inputs from agencies)

Roe vs Wade overturned: Biden, Obama, Planned Parenthood react to US top court judgement

For four years, Vice President Mike Pence has walked the Trump tight rope more successfully than anyone else in the president’s orbit, staying on his good side without having to echo his most incendiary rhetoric.

But in the final weeks of Pence’s term, his relationship with President Donald Trump is facing what may be the vice president’s toughest challenge yet.

Pence must now balance his loyalty to an enraged president making baseless claims of voter fraud against his own political future and reputation. He also has to deal with how Trump’s talk of running for president again in 2024 could leave him with no lane to run in. It also makes it difficult for Pence to even start raising money if the president is floating his own name.

So far, Pence appears to be handling the pressure much as he has over the past four years: appearing to be unflinchingly loyal while also steering clear of engaging in Trump’s pressure campaigns.

In the last few months of Pence’s time as vice president, his advisers want him focused on leading the coronavirus task force and helping the two Georgia Republicans facing runoffs that will determine whether the party maintains its Senate majority.

Those advisers said they would prefer that the vice president steer clear of the Trump campaign’s legal fights contesting the election results, and so far, Pence has been careful not to repeat Trump’s most baseless attacks on the electoral system while simultaneously remaining the good soldier.

In his brief remarks early Wednesday morning after election night — he kept them to 53 seconds — Pence tried to make what amounted to a non-endorsement of the president’s claim that the election was a “major fraud on our nation” into something that sounded like unquestioning support.

“As the votes continue to be counted, we’re going to remain vigilant, as the president said,” Pence told the crowd. “We’re going to protect the integrity of the vote.”

For almost a week afterward Pence was not seen or heard in public, though it was reported that he spent time with Trump in the Oval Office on Friday.

Then on Tuesday, he spoke to Republican senators at their weekly lunch, continuing his somewhat restrained tone while giving an update on where the campaign’s lawsuits stood and thanking senators for supporting Trump without making any demand that they fall in line, according to two people who attended the meeting.

Pence told the lawmakers he planned to travel to Georgia on Nov. 20 to campaign for Republican senators in the two runoff elections. He joked that he considered himself an honorary Iowan because of all the time he had spent campaigning for Sen. Joni Ernst, a seeming wink to his own presidential ambitions, which would most likely run through Iowa.

But in the same kind of nod to Trump’s claim for a second term that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the same day, he also told the lawmakers that he wanted to keep serving with them, as the president of the Senate, and that he thought he would.

In reality, Pence’s allies expect him to return to Indiana and make a living giving paid speeches and potentially writing a book. It will be the first time in a long time that Pence will live as a private citizen — he moved from the governor’s mansion in Indiana to temporary housing in Washington during the presidential transition four years ago to the Naval Observatory. He currently does not own a house.

But before he starts to think about what kind of house he will live in, and how to fill the years before the 2024 election cycle, he still has a role to play in the end of the 2020 election.

Pence has already faced an array of tests publicly and privately since Election Day, as he has had to calculate how far to go in supporting the president’s attempts to overturn the election.

In one of the most glaring examples, Corey Lewandowski, a Trump ally, pushed for Pence to travel to the Pennsylvania Convention Center last week to observe votes being counted, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The image of the vice president — who has strong support with the social-conservative wing of the Republican Party — descending on a counting center in a state where Trump’s campaign was making baseless claims of widespread fraud would have aided the president’s narrative that the election was being stolen. Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, vetoed the request, the person said.

The furthest he has gone, rhetorically, is lending his name to campaign fundraising emails that warn of “DEFENDING the Election from voter fraud.”

A campaign spokesman described his efforts on behalf of the president more effusively.

“Vice President Pence has been in constant contact with our team and extremely involved in the campaign’s legal efforts, doing everything we and the president have asked of him as well as leading efforts to raise money for the legal fund,” a Trump campaign spokeswoman, Ali Pardo, said in a statement.

But in his role as president of the Senate, Pence has a constitutionally designated role that could be a coda to Trump’s insistence that he won reelection — and awkward for the loyal vice president.

The Constitution calls on the vice president to oversee a joint session of Congress, to be held this time on Jan. 6, in which the votes from the Electoral College are officially counted. Typically, vice presidents simply read from a script and take no actions to interfere with the results.

In 2000, Vice President Al Gore had to certify the disputed election results after the Supreme Court effectively handed the presidential election to his opponent, George W. Bush.

“It was awkward and difficult for Vice President Al Gore in 2000, but that was his job,” recalled Michael Feldman, Gore’s former chief of staff. “The vice president has very few jobs as prescribed by the Constitution. Presiding over that process as president of the Senate is one of them.”

For Pence, the day he will have to announce Trump’s defeat is two months away. In the meantime, he has resumed more traditional duties of the job, appearing with the president on Wednesday at a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. And he postponed a family vacation to Florida, opting instead for a speaking engagement on Friday.

For four years, Vice President Mike Pence has walked the Trump tight rope more successfully than anyone else in the president’s orbit, staying on his good side without having to echo his most incendiary rhetoric.

For four years, Vice President Mike Pence has walked the Trump tight rope more successfully than anyone else in the president’s orbit, staying on his good side without having to echo his most incendiary rhetoric. But in the final weeks of Pence’s term, his relationship with President Donald Trump is facing what may be the vice president’s toughest challenge yet. Pence must now balance his loyalty to an enraged president making baseless claims of voter fraud against his own political future and reputation. He also has to deal with how Trump’s talk of running for president again in 2024 could leave him with no lane to run in. It also makes it difficult for Pence to even start raising money if the president is floating his own name. So far, Pence appears to be handling the pressure much as he has over the past four years: appearing to be unflinchingly loyal while also steering clear of engaging in Trump’s pressure campaigns. In the last few months of Pence’s time as vice president, his advisers want him focused on leading the coronavirus task force and helping the two Georgia Republicans facing runoffs that will determine whether the party maintains its Senate majority. Those advisers said they would prefer that the vice president steer clear of the Trump campaign’s legal fights contesting the election results, and so far, Pence has been careful not to repeat Trump’s most baseless attacks on the electoral system while simultaneously remaining the good soldier. In his brief remarks early Wednesday morning after election night — he kept them to 53 seconds — Pence tried to make what amounted to a non-endorsement of the president’s claim that the election was a “major fraud on our nation” into something that sounded like unquestioning support. “As the votes continue to be counted, we’re going to remain vigilant, as the president said,” Pence told the crowd. “We’re going to protect the integrity of the vote.” For almost a week afterward Pence was not seen or heard in public, though it was reported that he spent time with Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. Then on Tuesday, he spoke to Republican senators at their weekly lunch, continuing his somewhat restrained tone while giving an update on where the campaign’s lawsuits stood and thanking senators for supporting Trump without making any demand that they fall in line, according to two people who attended the meeting. Pence told the lawmakers he planned to travel to Georgia on Nov. 20 to campaign for Republican senators in the two runoff elections. He joked that he considered himself an honorary Iowan because of all the time he had spent campaigning for Sen. Joni Ernst, a seeming wink to his own presidential ambitions, which would most likely run through Iowa. But in the same kind of nod to Trump’s claim for a second term that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the same day, he also told the lawmakers that he wanted to keep serving with them, as the president of the Senate, and that he thought he would. In reality, Pence’s allies expect him to return to Indiana and make a living giving paid speeches and potentially writing a book. It will be the first time in a long time that Pence will live as a private citizen — he moved from the governor’s mansion in Indiana to temporary housing in Washington during the presidential transition four years ago to the Naval Observatory. He currently does not own a house. But before he starts to think about what kind of house he will live in, and how to fill the years before the 2024 election cycle, he still has a role to play in the end of the 2020 election. Pence has already faced an array of tests publicly and privately since Election Day, as he has had to calculate how far to go in supporting the president’s attempts to overturn the election. In one of the most glaring examples, Corey Lewandowski, a Trump ally, pushed for Pence to travel to the Pennsylvania Convention Center last week to observe votes being counted, according to a person familiar with the matter. The image of the vice president — who has strong support with the social-conservative wing of the Republican Party — descending on a counting center in a state where Trump’s campaign was making baseless claims of widespread fraud would have aided the president’s narrative that the election was being stolen. Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, vetoed the request, the person said. The furthest he has gone, rhetorically, is lending his name to campaign fundraising emails that warn of “DEFENDING the Election from voter fraud.” A campaign spokesman described his efforts on behalf of the president more effusively. “Vice President Pence has been in constant contact with our team and extremely involved in the campaign’s legal efforts, doing everything we and the president have asked of him as well as leading efforts to raise money for the legal fund,” a Trump campaign spokeswoman, Ali Pardo, said in a statement. But in his role as president of the Senate, Pence has a constitutionally designated role that could be a coda to Trump’s insistence that he won reelection — and awkward for the loyal vice president. The Constitution calls on the vice president to oversee a joint session of Congress, to be held this time on Jan. 6, in which the votes from the Electoral College are officially counted. Typically, vice presidents simply read from a script and take no actions to interfere with the results. In 2000, Vice President Al Gore had to certify the disputed election results after the Supreme Court effectively handed the presidential election to his opponent, George W. Bush. “It was awkward and difficult for Vice President Al Gore in 2000, but that was his job,” recalled Michael Feldman, Gore’s former chief of staff. “The vice president has very few jobs as prescribed by the Constitution. Presiding over that process as president of the Senate is one of them.” For Pence, the day he will have to announce Trump’s defeat is two months away. In the meantime, he has resumed more traditional duties of the job, appearing with the president on Wednesday at a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. And he postponed a family vacation to Florida, opting instead for a speaking engagement on Friday.

For Pence, the future is tied to Trump as much as the present is

Vice President Mike Pence travelled to the battleground state of North Carolina on Sunday (October 25) where he urged supporters to "stay in the fight," a day after several members of his staff tested positive for coronavirus.

US Vice President Mike Pence hits campaign trail after staff test positive for COVID-19

Ahead of the US elections, a former Mike Pence aide has released a video revealing how the US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;carelessly avoided doing better to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Olivia Troye, who worked for Pence's team and was a part of the coronavirus task force set up by the trump administration, released a video claiming&nbsp;"the truth is he doesn't actually care about anyone else but himself."

Troye was&nbsp;Pence's former homeland security advisor and has claimed that working for Trump was "terrifying". She alleged that the President was more concerned about his reelection in the upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-up-played-coronavirus-trump-answers-question-of-a-voter-before-us-elections-327856">Also read|&nbsp;'I up-played coronavirus': Trump answers question of a voter before US elections</a>

"Towards the middle of February, we knew it wasn't a matter of if Covid would become a big pandemic here, it was a matter of when," said Troye. "But the President didn't want to hear that, because his biggest concern was that we were in an election year, and how was this going to affect what he considered to be his record of success?"

The biggest allegation sha has made against the President in this video is that during one of the meetings she was a part of, Trump said maybe COVID-19 is a good thing because "I don't like shaking hands with people. I don't have to shake hands with these disgusting people."

While the White House denied these accusations by calling this a personal revenge for being fired by the administration, Donald Trump did not rubbish these accusations but simply stated that she was a "lower level person".

Talking to local reporters, Trump said, "I don't know her. She worked for the Vice President. She was on the task force as some kind of lower level person. I have no idea who she is."

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Pence, too, rubbished the accusations by calling Troye another "disgruntled employee".

"I haven't read her comments in any detail, but it reads to me like one more disgruntled employee who's left the White House and now has decided to play politics during an election year," Pence told local reporters. "I think my staff has indicated that she made no comments like that when she was serving on our team here at the White House coronavirus task force."

The WHite House has also claimed that Troye was fired by the administration, and while leaving she wrote the "most beautiful going-away letter," Trump said.

Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Pence's national security adviser, said Troye never complained about the handling of the virus during her time at the White House.&nbsp;"Ms. Troye directly reported to me, and never once during her detail did she every express any concern regarding the Administration's response to the Coronavirus to anyone in her chain of command," he said in a statement.

However, the letter released by the White House, does not offer any praise for the President or the Vice President. While Troye does claim that it was an "absolute honor" to serve at the taskforce, but she has not mentioned the same&nbsp;about working with Trump or Pence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-donald-trump-admits-downplaying-seriousness-of-covid-19-326412">Also read|&nbsp;US election 2020: Donald Trump admits 'downplaying' seriousness of COVID-19</a>

This is not the first former Trump administration employee to protest against re-election of Trump.&nbsp;Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci are few of the other big names, along with several more who have urged people to vote for Biden instead of Trump.

Recently, investigative journalists, Bob Woodward, released a book in which he has provided proof of Trump admitting that he downplayed the coronavirus response intentionally.

He has also been accused of forcing CDC to pre-maturely release the COVID-19 vaccine to satisfy his campaign agenda for the elections scheduled on Nomber 03.

Ahead of the US elections, a former Mike Pence aide has released a video revealing how the US President Donald Trump carelessly avoided doing better to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Ahead of the US elections, a former Mike Pence aide has released a video revealing how the US President Donald Trump carelessly avoided doing better to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Olivia Troye, who worked for Pence's team and was a part of the coronavirus task force set up by the trump administration, released a video claiming "the truth is he doesn't actually care about anyone else but himself." Troye was Pence's former homeland security advisor and has claimed that working for Trump was "terrifying". She alleged that the President was more concerned about his reelection in the upcoming US elections. Also read| 'I up-played coronavirus': Trump answers question of a voter before US elections "Towards the middle of February, we knew it wasn't a matter of if Covid would become a big pandemic here, it was a matter of when," said Troye. "But the President didn't want to hear that, because his biggest concern was that we were in an election year, and how was this going to affect what he considered to be his record of success?" The biggest allegation sha has made against the President in this video is that during one of the meetings she was a part of, Trump said maybe COVID-19 is a good thing because "I don't like shaking hands with people. I don't have to shake hands with these disgusting people." While the White House denied these accusations by calling this a personal revenge for being fired by the administration, Donald Trump did not rubbish these accusations but simply stated that she was a "lower level person". Talking to local reporters, Trump said, "I don't know her. She worked for the Vice President. She was on the task force as some kind of lower level person. I have no idea who she is." × Pence, too, rubbished the accusations by calling Troye another "disgruntled employee". "I haven't read her comments in any detail, but it reads to me like one more disgruntled employee who's left the White House and now has decided to play politics during an election year," Pence told local reporters. "I think my staff has indicated that she made no comments like that when she was serving on our team here at the White House coronavirus task force." The WHite House has also claimed that Troye was fired by the administration, and while leaving she wrote the "most beautiful going-away letter," Trump said. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Pence's national security adviser, said Troye never complained about the handling of the virus during her time at the White House. "Ms. Troye directly reported to me, and never once during her detail did she every express any concern regarding the Administration's response to the Coronavirus to anyone in her chain of command," he said in a statement. However, the letter released by the White House, does not offer any praise for the President or the Vice President. While Troye does claim that it was an "absolute honor" to serve at the taskforce, but she has not mentioned the same about working with Trump or Pence. Also read| US election 2020: Donald Trump admits 'downplaying' seriousness of COVID-19 This is not the first former Trump administration employee to protest against re-election of Trump. Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci are few of the other big names, along with several more who have urged people to vote for Biden instead of Trump. Recently, investigative journalists, Bob Woodward, released a book in which he has provided proof of Trump admitting that he downplayed the coronavirus response intentionally. He has also been accused of forcing CDC to pre-maturely release the COVID-19 vaccine to satisfy his campaign agenda for the elections scheduled on Nomber 03.

US elections: Pence aide slams Trump on coronavirus; urges people to vote for Biden

From the White House to the county courthouse, the coronavirus pandemic has drastically upended the interest of American voters in 2020 US Presidential elections.

But US politicians are running their political campaign in full swing for the upcoming election.

Vice-president Mike Pence on Wednesday accepted the Republican Party’s re-nomination, calling Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for President, a “Trojan horse” for the radical left-wing of his party, reprising the Trump campaign’s chief argument against the challenger.

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"Joe Biden says that America is systemically racist and that law enforcement in America has and I quote, implicit bias against minorities. When asked whether he'd support cutting funding to law enforcement, Joe Biden replied, 'Yes, absolutely.' Joe Biden would double down on the very policies that are leading to violence in America’s cities. The hard truth is you won't be safe in Joe Biden’s America. Now under President Trump, we will always stand with those who stand on the thin blue line, and we're not going to defund the police. Not now, not ever,” Mike Pence said.

“Last week, Joe Biden didn’t say one word about the violence and chaos engulfing cities across this country,” Pence said. On the other hand, he added, “will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and colour.”

Meanwhile, a blind Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng said in his address to the Republican National Convention "Standing up to tyranny is not easy. I know. When I spoke out against China's 'one-child'' policy and other injustices, I was persecuted, beaten and sent to prison and put under house arrest by the Chinese Communist Party," urging other countries to join US President Donald Trump to stop China's "aggression".

Now, all eyes now are on the final day of the convention when Donald Trump will formally accept his nomination from the white house.

(With inputs from agencies)

From the White House to the county courthouse, the coronavirus pandemic has drastically upended the interest of American voters in 2020 US Presidential elections.

From the White House to the county courthouse, the coronavirus pandemic has drastically upended the interest of American voters in 2020 US Presidential elections. But US politicians are running their political campaign in full swing for the upcoming election. Vice-president Mike Pence on Wednesday accepted the Republican Party’s re-nomination, calling Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for President, a “Trojan horse” for the radical left-wing of his party, reprising the Trump campaign’s chief argument against the challenger. "Joe Biden says that America is systemically racist and that law enforcement in America has and I quote, implicit bias against minorities. When asked whether he'd support cutting funding to law enforcement, Joe Biden replied, 'Yes, absolutely.' Joe Biden would double down on the very policies that are leading to violence in America’s cities. The hard truth is you won't be safe in Joe Biden’s America. Now under President Trump, we will always stand with those who stand on the thin blue line, and we're not going to defund the police. Not now, not ever,” Mike Pence said. “Last week, Joe Biden didn’t say one word about the violence and chaos engulfing cities across this country,” Pence said. On the other hand, he added, “will have law and order on the streets of this country for every American of every race and creed and colour.” Meanwhile, a blind Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng said in his address to the Republican National Convention "Standing up to tyranny is not easy. I know. When I spoke out against China's 'one-child'' policy and other injustices, I was persecuted, beaten and sent to prison and put under house arrest by the Chinese Communist Party," urging other countries to join US President Donald Trump to stop China's "aggression". Now, all eyes now are on the final day of the convention when Donald Trump will formally accept his nomination from the white house. (With inputs from agencies)

All eyes on Trump: US President to formally accept his nomination from the White House

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christchurch-mosque-attacker-brenton-tarrant-sentenced-to-life-without-parole-323310">Christchurch mosque attacker Brenton Tarrant sentenced to life without parole</a>

<img alt="Tarrant" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="454ecb73-fa2f-4683-865d-fea1a8b52956" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Tarant.jpg" />

Tarrant, 29, had live-streamed the event while killing at least 51 people in two mosques in Christchurch.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/history-records-biden-opposed-operation-against-osama-bin-laden-says-us-vice-president-mike-pence-at-republican-national-convention-323319">History records Biden opposed operation against Osama Bin Laden, says US Vice President Mike Pence&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Pence" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9dca3a80-0b30-4fb9-bc04-8058aee15a3d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Biden1.jpg" />

US Vice-President Mike Pence speaking at the Republican National Convention said America needs four more years of Donald Trump at the White House.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-targets-chinese-individuals-companies-over-south-china-sea-work-323307">US targets Chinese individuals, companies over South China Sea work</a>

<img alt="South China Sea" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abddfae7-f604-4e20-9d44-46a7c07a3182" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ChinaAg.jpg" />

The US government targeted the China Communications Construction Company, including a shipbuilding group and telecom firms amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-star-naomi-osaka-withdraws-from-wta-semi-final-over-jacob-blakes-shooting-in-us-323308">Tennis star Naomi Osaka withdraws from WTA semi-final over Jacob Blake's shooting in US</a>

<img alt="Osaka" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dfcbe745-34d1-4018-9a87-9826ba29e016" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Osaka1.jpg" />

Naomi Osaka said "genocide of black people at the hands of the police is honesty making me sick to my stomach."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-are-greece-and-turkey-on-a-war-path-323295">Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas -&nbsp;Are Greece and Turkey on a war path?</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-are-greece-and-turkey-on-a-war-path-323295/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Christchurch mosque attacker Brenton Tarrant sentenced to life without parole Tarrant, 29, had live-streamed the event while killing at least 51 people in two mosques in Christchurch.

Christchurch mosque attacker Brenton Tarrant sentenced to life without parole Tarrant, 29, had live-streamed the event while killing at least 51 people in two mosques in Christchurch. History records Biden opposed operation against Osama Bin Laden, says US Vice President Mike Pence US Vice-President Mike Pence speaking at the Republican National Convention said America needs four more years of Donald Trump at the White House. US targets Chinese individuals, companies over South China Sea work The US government targeted the China Communications Construction Company, including a shipbuilding group and telecom firms amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Tennis star Naomi Osaka withdraws from WTA semi-final over Jacob Blake's shooting in US Naomi Osaka said "genocide of black people at the hands of the police is honesty making me sick to my stomach." Watch: Gravitas - Are Greece and Turkey on a war path?

Morning news brief: Christchurch mosque attacker sentenced, Pence attacks Biden at Republican National Convention & more

After reports of a possible Russian military intelligence unit secretly offering bounties to kill the American troops in Afghanistan broke out, White House clarified that the US President Donald Trump and the Vicep President Mike Pence had not been briefed on the matter.

"The United States receives thousands of intelligence reports a day and they are subject to strict scrutiny," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baseless-russia-denies-accusation-of-giving-bounties-to-taliban-to-attack-us-forces-308996">Also read|&nbsp;'Baseless': Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces</a>

The statement had to be issued after one of the leading national newspapers published an article claiming that an unnamed source from the White House had revealed that the President was informed about the intelligence report in a closed-doors meeting, but the President had failed to act on it.

However, the McEnany, on Saturday, clarified against this claim and said that&nbsp;"the CIA Director, National Security Advisor, and the Chief of Staff can all confirm that neither the President nor the Vice President was briefed on the alleged Russian bounty intelligence."

She also added that she issued the statement to highlight the inaccuracy of the newspaper that published that article with the claims made by the unnamed source.

There has been no comment from Donald Trump and Mike Pence on this matter yet.

Russia, meanwhile, has denied the accusation of offering bounties to attack the US forces.

After reports of a possible Russian military intelligence unit secretly offering bounties to kill the American troops in Afghanistan broke out, White House clarified that the US President Donald Trump and the Vicep President Mike Pence had not been briefed on the matter.

After reports of a possible Russian military intelligence unit secretly offering bounties to kill the American troops in Afghanistan broke out, White House clarified that the US President Donald Trump and the Vicep President Mike Pence had not been briefed on the matter. "The United States receives thousands of intelligence reports a day and they are subject to strict scrutiny," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement. Also read| 'Baseless': Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces The statement had to be issued after one of the leading national newspapers published an article claiming that an unnamed source from the White House had revealed that the President was informed about the intelligence report in a closed-doors meeting, but the President had failed to act on it. However, the McEnany, on Saturday, clarified against this claim and said that "the CIA Director, National Security Advisor, and the Chief of Staff can all confirm that neither the President nor the Vice President was briefed on the alleged Russian bounty intelligence." She also added that she issued the statement to highlight the inaccuracy of the newspaper that published that article with the claims made by the unnamed source. There has been no comment from Donald Trump and Mike Pence on this matter yet. Russia, meanwhile, has denied the accusation of offering bounties to attack the US forces.

Inaccurate: White House rubbishes reports of Trump's failed actions on Russian bounties' case

Israel and the United States on Thursday called for action against Iran in front of world leaders marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, comparing the Iranian threat to that once posed by Nazi Germany.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-leaders-flock-to-israel-to-mark-75th-anniversary-of-auschwitz-liberation-276087">In Pics: World leaders flock to Israel to mark 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation</a>

"There will not be another Holocaust," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Jerusalem gathering of more than 40 heads of state and government, pointing to what he called "the tyrants of Tehran".

Watch Video:

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He lamented that "we have yet to see a unified and resolute stance against the most anti-Semitic regime on the planet, a regime that openly seeks to develop nuclear weapons and annihilate the one and only Jewish state."

In a similar vein, US Vice President Mike Pence urged the international community to "stand strong" against Iran, calling it the only country where Holocaust denial is "state policy".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/wion-edit-the-lessons-from-the-holocaust-276197">Wion Edit: The lessons from the Holocaust</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron, however, rejected such parallels, telling the gathering -- without mentioning Iran, Israel or the US by name -&nbsp;that "no one has the right to invoke (those killed by the Nazis) to justify division or contemporary hatred".&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a summit of leaders of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to "defend peace" in the face of global instability.

Tehran denies it is trying to build a nuclear bomb and accusations of anti-Semitism, insisting that while it opposes the Jewish state and supports the Palestinian cause, it has no problem with Jewish people, including its own Jewish minority.

The leaders of former Allied powers were at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre for the biggest international diplomatic gathering ever held in Israel, to remember the liberation of the World War II death camp where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews.

While the main focus was on the Holocaust, its haunting legacy and the resurgence of anti-Semitism, modern geopolitics quickly overshadowed the event, held at a time of soaring US-Iranian tensions.

Netanyahu said the main lesson of the Holocaust was that "Israel will do whatever it must do to defend our state, defend our people, and defend the Jewish future".

He added: "I call on all governments to join the vital effort of confronting Iran."

Israel fiercely opposed a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

Netanyahu applauded when US President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the accord and has pushed European powers to follow Washington's lead.

He said Thursday that Israel "salutes" Trump "for confronting the tyrants of Tehran that subjugate their own people and threaten the peace and security of the entire world".

Aside from Iran, a key theme of the event was the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and North America, in the speeches at the memorial centre for the six million Jews that Nazi Germany killed in gas chambers, ghettos and forced labour camps.

"This is a historic gathering, not only for Israel and the Jewish people, but for all humanity," said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, calling on the world to "stand united in the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and extremism".

Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that racist and anti-Semitic "spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise".

The German head of state told the gathering he bowed "in deepest sorrow" at the memory of "the industrial mass murder of six million Jews, the worst crime in the history of humanity ... committed by my countrymen".

Looking at resurgent hatreds, extremism and intolerance, he said: "Of course, our age is a different age. The words are not the same. The perpetrators are not the same. But it is the same evil."

"The spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise, presenting their anti-Semitic, racist, authoritarian thinking as an answer for the future, a new solution to the problems of our age," he said.

About 100 Holocaust survivors were at the event, to pray for the dead and light a memorial torch.

Among them was Yona Amit, 81, who as a child spent the war hiding from the Nazis but lost family members including her cousin.

"I exchanged shoes with him playing," shortly before he was captured, she recalled.&nbsp;

"They were straight away sent to Auschwitz. And of course my cousin, with my shoes: straight away up in the chimneys, in the gas chambers," she told AFP.&nbsp;

"My shoes are in that big mound of shoes in Auschwitz, my shoes are there. I am here."

The ceremonies move on next Monday to the site in Poland of the Auschwitz camp, which was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945.

Israel and the United States on Thursday called for action against Iran in front of world leaders marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, comparing the Iranian threat to that once posed by Nazi Germany.

Israel and the United States on Thursday called for action against Iran in front of world leaders marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, comparing the Iranian threat to that once posed by Nazi Germany. In Pics: World leaders flock to Israel to mark 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation "There will not be another Holocaust," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Jerusalem gathering of more than 40 heads of state and government, pointing to what he called "the tyrants of Tehran". Watch Video: He lamented that "we have yet to see a unified and resolute stance against the most anti-Semitic regime on the planet, a regime that openly seeks to develop nuclear weapons and annihilate the one and only Jewish state." In a similar vein, US Vice President Mike Pence urged the international community to "stand strong" against Iran, calling it the only country where Holocaust denial is "state policy". Wion Edit: The lessons from the Holocaust French President Emmanuel Macron, however, rejected such parallels, telling the gathering -- without mentioning Iran, Israel or the US by name - that "no one has the right to invoke (those killed by the Nazis) to justify division or contemporary hatred". Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a summit of leaders of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to "defend peace" in the face of global instability. Tehran denies it is trying to build a nuclear bomb and accusations of anti-Semitism, insisting that while it opposes the Jewish state and supports the Palestinian cause, it has no problem with Jewish people, including its own Jewish minority. The leaders of former Allied powers were at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre for the biggest international diplomatic gathering ever held in Israel, to remember the liberation of the World War II death camp where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews. While the main focus was on the Holocaust, its haunting legacy and the resurgence of anti-Semitism, modern geopolitics quickly overshadowed the event, held at a time of soaring US-Iranian tensions. Netanyahu said the main lesson of the Holocaust was that "Israel will do whatever it must do to defend our state, defend our people, and defend the Jewish future". He added: "I call on all governments to join the vital effort of confronting Iran." Israel fiercely opposed a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers that offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Netanyahu applauded when US President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the accord and has pushed European powers to follow Washington's lead. He said Thursday that Israel "salutes" Trump "for confronting the tyrants of Tehran that subjugate their own people and threaten the peace and security of the entire world". Aside from Iran, a key theme of the event was the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and North America, in the speeches at the memorial centre for the six million Jews that Nazi Germany killed in gas chambers, ghettos and forced labour camps. "This is a historic gathering, not only for Israel and the Jewish people, but for all humanity," said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, calling on the world to "stand united in the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and extremism". Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that racist and anti-Semitic "spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise". The German head of state told the gathering he bowed "in deepest sorrow" at the memory of "the industrial mass murder of six million Jews, the worst crime in the history of humanity ... committed by my countrymen". Looking at resurgent hatreds, extremism and intolerance, he said: "Of course, our age is a different age. The words are not the same. The perpetrators are not the same. But it is the same evil." "The spirits of evil are emerging in a new guise, presenting their anti-Semitic, racist, authoritarian thinking as an answer for the future, a new solution to the problems of our age," he said. About 100 Holocaust survivors were at the event, to pray for the dead and light a memorial torch. Among them was Yona Amit, 81, who as a child spent the war hiding from the Nazis but lost family members including her cousin. "I exchanged shoes with him playing," shortly before he was captured, she recalled. "They were straight away sent to Auschwitz. And of course my cousin, with my shoes: straight away up in the chimneys, in the gas chambers," she told AFP. "My shoes are in that big mound of shoes in Auschwitz, my shoes are there. I am here." The ceremonies move on next Monday to the site in Poland of the Auschwitz camp, which was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945.

Israel PM Netanyahu, US vice president Pence denounce Iran at Holocaust memorial ceremony

US Vice President Mike Pence has cancelled plans to meet with the leader of the Solomon Islands to discuss development partnerships after the Pacific island cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China this week, a senior US official said on Tuesday.

The Solomon Islands was the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/solomon-islands-has-switched-relations-to-china-our-diplomatic-relations-terminated-taiwan-249995">sixth country to switch allegiance to China</a> since 2016.

Self-ruled Taiwan has accused China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, of trying to meddle in its upcoming elections.

Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had asked Pence in July for a meeting, the senior administration official told Reuters, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The meeting was to have taken place this month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, or afterwards in Washington.

"But the decision by the Solomon Islands to change its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China has consequences. They're hurting a historically strong relationship by doing this," the official said.

"It's a setback, and it's prioritizing short-term gain with China over long-term commitment with the US," the official said.

The United States, which has a fraught relationship with China over trade, defence and technology issues, upholds what is known as the "one-China" policy, officially recognizing Beijing and not Taipei, while assisting Taiwan.

Washington and Beijing are embroiled in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-war-to-knock-05-points-off-global-growth-french-finance-minister-247859">trade war</a>, slapping tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods.

The United States is also pushing to restrict Chinese state-owned telecom companies over concerns about espionage, allegations rejected by China.

President Donald Trump's administration is also considering confronting China over its detention of some 1 million Muslims in remote Xinjiang province at next week's UN meeting.

Pence has criticized China for what he calls "debt-trap" lending practices to small countries, pushing them into debt and compromising their sovereignty. China denies those charges.

"Countries that establish closer ties to China primarily out of the hope or expectation that such a step will stimulate economic growth and infrastructure development often find themselves worse off in the long run," the US official told Reuters.

After the Solomon Islands decision, Taiwan has formal relations with only 16 countries, many of them small, less-developed nations in Central America and the Pacific.

The Solomons, a former British protectorate that is home to about 600,000 people, had been the largest of the Taiwan-aligned Pacific countries, with access to airfields and deepwater ports dating back to World War Two.

After his July phone call with Pence, Sogavare sent him a letter, saying he was "favourably disposed of" to ask his Cabinet to defer a decision on its Taiwan ties until later in the year.

Sogavare emphasized that he needed help from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan to develop infrastructure, a critical domestic issue for his government - according to a copy of the letter reviewed by Reuters.

"It is the one agenda that has the potential to split the cabinet and could potentially cause the government to fall," Sogavare said in the letter.

Beijing said on Tuesday that the Solomon Islands would have unprecedented development opportunities after cutting ties with Taiwan.

China had offered $8.5 million in development funds to the Solomons ahead of its decision.

US Vice President Mike Pence has cancelled plans to meet with the leader of the Solomon Islands to discuss development partnerships after the Pacific island cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China this week, a senior US official said on Tuesday.

US Vice President Mike Pence has cancelled plans to meet with the leader of the Solomon Islands to discuss development partnerships after the Pacific island cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China this week, a senior US official said on Tuesday. The Solomon Islands was the sixth country to switch allegiance to China since 2016. Self-ruled Taiwan has accused China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, of trying to meddle in its upcoming elections. Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had asked Pence in July for a meeting, the senior administration official told Reuters, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The meeting was to have taken place this month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, or afterwards in Washington. "But the decision by the Solomon Islands to change its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China has consequences. They're hurting a historically strong relationship by doing this," the official said. "It's a setback, and it's prioritizing short-term gain with China over long-term commitment with the US," the official said. The United States, which has a fraught relationship with China over trade, defence and technology issues, upholds what is known as the "one-China" policy, officially recognizing Beijing and not Taipei, while assisting Taiwan. Washington and Beijing are embroiled in a trade war, slapping tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods. The United States is also pushing to restrict Chinese state-owned telecom companies over concerns about espionage, allegations rejected by China. President Donald Trump's administration is also considering confronting China over its detention of some 1 million Muslims in remote Xinjiang province at next week's UN meeting. Pence has criticized China for what he calls "debt-trap" lending practices to small countries, pushing them into debt and compromising their sovereignty. China denies those charges. "Countries that establish closer ties to China primarily out of the hope or expectation that such a step will stimulate economic growth and infrastructure development often find themselves worse off in the long run," the US official told Reuters. After the Solomon Islands decision, Taiwan has formal relations with only 16 countries, many of them small, less-developed nations in Central America and the Pacific. The Solomons, a former British protectorate that is home to about 600,000 people, had been the largest of the Taiwan-aligned Pacific countries, with access to airfields and deepwater ports dating back to World War Two. After his July phone call with Pence, Sogavare sent him a letter, saying he was "favourably disposed of" to ask his Cabinet to defer a decision on its Taiwan ties until later in the year. Sogavare emphasized that he needed help from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan to develop infrastructure, a critical domestic issue for his government - according to a copy of the letter reviewed by Reuters. "It is the one agenda that has the potential to split the cabinet and could potentially cause the government to fall," Sogavare said in the letter. Beijing said on Tuesday that the Solomon Islands would have unprecedented development opportunities after cutting ties with Taiwan. China had offered $8.5 million in development funds to the Solomons ahead of its decision.

Pence rebuffs Solomon Islands PM after nation cuts ties with Taiwan

US&nbsp;House Democrats have launched an investigation into Vice President Mike Pence's stay at a hotel owned by President Donald Trump during a visit to Ireland this week, two committees said on Friday.

Pence drew fire from Democrats when he stayed at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg on the west coast of Ireland during his visit to the country, though it was 300 kilometres (180 miles) away from his meetings in the capital, Dublin.

Elijah Cummings, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, wrote to the White House, Trump Organisation, US Secret Service and the Vice President's Office seeking documents on the visit by September 19.

The letters cite media reports indicating the golf club had been a "problematic investment" for Trump's company and had not been profitable in years.

"The Committee does not believe that US&nbsp;taxpayer funds should be used to personally enrich President Trump, his family, and his companies," Cummings wrote, saying the stay could be a potential conflict of interest and violate the US&nbsp;Constitution.

Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, told journalists that Trump had suggested Pence stay at the property, though Trump said later he had not been involved with the decision.

In a separate letter, the chairman of the US&nbsp;House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler, and the chairman of a Judiciary subcommittee, Steve Cohen, cited Pence's stay at Trump's Ireland golf club to press for documents for their own investigation into the White House's decision to host next year's Group of Seven economic summit at his resort in Florida.

Last month during the G7 meeting in France, Trump said his administration was considering hosting the summit at his Miami-area golf resort but insisted he would not personally profit from hosting the event.

Nadler and Cohen said in August they planned to investigate the proposal.

Trump has remained in control of his hotels, golf courses, and other businesses, though he said he handed over day-to-day operations to his sons before taking office in January 2017.

Watchdog groups and former government ethics officials say Trump has not put safeguards in place to make sure he does not directly profit from actions taken as president, as past presidents have done.

US House Democrats have launched an investigation into Vice President Mike Pence's stay at a hotel owned by President Donald Trump during a visit to Ireland this week, two committees said on Friday.

US House Democrats have launched an investigation into Vice President Mike Pence's stay at a hotel owned by President Donald Trump during a visit to Ireland this week, two committees said on Friday. Pence drew fire from Democrats when he stayed at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg on the west coast of Ireland during his visit to the country, though it was 300 kilometres (180 miles) away from his meetings in the capital, Dublin. Elijah Cummings, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, wrote to the White House, Trump Organisation, US Secret Service and the Vice President's Office seeking documents on the visit by September 19. The letters cite media reports indicating the golf club had been a "problematic investment" for Trump's company and had not been profitable in years. "The Committee does not believe that US taxpayer funds should be used to personally enrich President Trump, his family, and his companies," Cummings wrote, saying the stay could be a potential conflict of interest and violate the US Constitution. Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, told journalists that Trump had suggested Pence stay at the property, though Trump said later he had not been involved with the decision. In a separate letter, the chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler, and the chairman of a Judiciary subcommittee, Steve Cohen, cited Pence's stay at Trump's Ireland golf club to press for documents for their own investigation into the White House's decision to host next year's Group of Seven economic summit at his resort in Florida. Last month during the G7 meeting in France, Trump said his administration was considering hosting the summit at his Miami-area golf resort but insisted he would not personally profit from hosting the event. Nadler and Cohen said in August they planned to investigate the proposal. Trump has remained in control of his hotels, golf courses, and other businesses, though he said he handed over day-to-day operations to his sons before taking office in January 2017. Watchdog groups and former government ethics officials say Trump has not put safeguards in place to make sure he does not directly profit from actions taken as president, as past presidents have done.

United States Democrats to probe into Mike Pence's stay at Trump hotel in Ireland

Venezuela's opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelan-government-to-cut-electricity-18-hours-per-week-208214">Juan Guaido urged his supporters </a>to demonstrate in the streets Saturday to maintain pressure on his rival President Nicolas Maduro, amid rising anger over the collapse of public services.

Thousands of opposition supporters are expected to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/11-million-children-affected-by-venezuela-crisis-unicef-208027">march through the capital</a> Caracas from 11:00 am on Saturday as Venezuela's power struggle is exacerbated by massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies.

Guaido, recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries, said in a Twitter message on Friday: "Let's remain firm in the streets, this fight is for the lives of all Venezuelans."

Maduro, who blames US-backed sabotage on recent blackouts that deprived millions of power, has also called a pro-government march in Caracas, urging his supporters onto the streets for a "March in defence of peace."

Guaido said earlier this week he feared abduction by government agents after pro-Maduro lawmakers stripped him of his parliamentary immunity on Tuesday and authorized the country's top court to prosecute him for proclaiming himself president.

The United States, among the first countries to recognize Guaido when the National Assembly leader proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, meanwhile kept up the international pressure on Maduro to step down.

Vice President Mike Pence announced fresh sanctions against 34 vessels belonging to Venezuela's state oil company and two companies that ship crude to Cuba.

"The United States will continue to exert all diplomatic and economic pressure to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy," Pence said in a speech in Houston, Texas.

"Venezuela's oil belongs to the Venezuelan people," he said.

"Those looking on should know this: All options are on the table. And Nicolas Maduro would do well not to test the resolve of the United States of America," he said.

The action is the latest by the United States as it tries to choke off revenue for the cash-strapped leftist government, which has nonetheless held onto power and enjoys backing from China and Russia.

It comes ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council next Wednesday, called by the US to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Latin American country.

"The United States will urge the world to reject Maduro's failed regime, to stand with the Venezuelan people, and to help us bring the humanitarian crisis to an end."

Venezuela's oil economy has crumbled under the collapse of crude exports and international sanctions against Maduro.

The socialist president is viewed by the US and its allies as illegitimate since taking the oath of office in January for a second six-year term, following elections last May seen as deeply flawed.

Malnutrition and disease are on the rise as living conditions plummet in Venezuela, which is spiralling ever deeper into economic chaos during the protracted political crisis.

The blackouts have knocked out water supplies as well as transport and communications.

"We are tired but we have to go out on the street because it is the only way to get these people out," said Verony Mendez, 48, adding that his household has been without water for two months.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido urged his supporters to demonstrate in the streets Saturday to maintain pressure on his rival President Nicolas Maduro, amid rising anger over the collapse of public services.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido urged his supporters to demonstrate in the streets Saturday to maintain pressure on his rival President Nicolas Maduro, amid rising anger over the collapse of public services. Thousands of opposition supporters are expected to march through the capital Caracas from 11:00 am on Saturday as Venezuela's power struggle is exacerbated by massive blackouts and the collapse of water supplies. Guaido, recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries, said in a Twitter message on Friday: "Let's remain firm in the streets, this fight is for the lives of all Venezuelans." Maduro, who blames US-backed sabotage on recent blackouts that deprived millions of power, has also called a pro-government march in Caracas, urging his supporters onto the streets for a "March in defence of peace." Guaido said earlier this week he feared abduction by government agents after pro-Maduro lawmakers stripped him of his parliamentary immunity on Tuesday and authorized the country's top court to prosecute him for proclaiming himself president. The United States, among the first countries to recognize Guaido when the National Assembly leader proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, meanwhile kept up the international pressure on Maduro to step down. Vice President Mike Pence announced fresh sanctions against 34 vessels belonging to Venezuela's state oil company and two companies that ship crude to Cuba. "The United States will continue to exert all diplomatic and economic pressure to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy," Pence said in a speech in Houston, Texas. "Venezuela's oil belongs to the Venezuelan people," he said. "Those looking on should know this: All options are on the table. And Nicolas Maduro would do well not to test the resolve of the United States of America," he said. The action is the latest by the United States as it tries to choke off revenue for the cash-strapped leftist government, which has nonetheless held onto power and enjoys backing from China and Russia. It comes ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council next Wednesday, called by the US to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Latin American country. "The United States will urge the world to reject Maduro's failed regime, to stand with the Venezuelan people, and to help us bring the humanitarian crisis to an end." Venezuela's oil economy has crumbled under the collapse of crude exports and international sanctions against Maduro. The socialist president is viewed by the US and its allies as illegitimate since taking the oath of office in January for a second six-year term, following elections last May seen as deeply flawed. Malnutrition and disease are on the rise as living conditions plummet in Venezuela, which is spiralling ever deeper into economic chaos during the protracted political crisis. The blackouts have knocked out water supplies as well as transport and communications. "We are tired but we have to go out on the street because it is the only way to get these people out," said Verony Mendez, 48, adding that his household has been without water for two months.

Venezuela's oil belongs to the people, says Pence after fresh US sanctions

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/east-asia/denuclearisation-includes-eliminating-us-nuclear-threat-in-korean-peninsula-north-korean-state-media-185456"> US awaits "concrete steps" by North Korea </a>to dismantle its nuclear weapons that threaten America and other countries in the region, Vice President Mike Pence has said.

Pence's statement came during his address to the global chief of mission conference on Wednesday and gains significance as the White House is preparing for another summit between President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The two leaders have recently exchanged letters.

Kim and Trump held a historic meeting in Singapore on June 12 last year where they issued a vague goal for the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean Peninsula without describing when and how it would occur.

Pence said that the US awaits North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons.

"While the president has started a promising dialogue with Chairman Kim, we still await concrete steps by North Korea to dismantle the nuclear weapons that threaten our people and our allies in the region," Pence said.

In his address, Pence also said that Russia seeks to overturn the international order that the US has upheld for more than half a century.&nbsp;

"Unlike the Soviet Union and its many client states, no shared ideology or objective unites our competitors and adversaries except this one. They seek to overturn the international order that the US has upheld for more than half a century," he said.

"Truthfully, it is a pact surrounding what they perceive to be a common enemy, but the truth is the US will rise to that challenge, we will stand with our allies and we will advance our values and our principles in the world," Pence added. 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
Targeting Iran, Pence said that president Trump is standing up to the Iranian regime which is making the west Asian nation change its ways.&nbsp;

"And as we stand today, Iran is now under unprecedented pressure to change its ways," he said.

"The message that the disastrous nuclear deal benefited the very mullahs who oppressed their people. And even as we've striven mightily to protect our most important interests, we've also fought hard. We have also fought hard not only to stand up to those who would challenge us but to advance American values on the world stage," Pence said.

The US awaits "concrete steps" by North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons that threaten America and other countries in the region, Vice President Mike Pence has said.

The US awaits "concrete steps" by North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons that threaten America and other countries in the region, Vice President Mike Pence has said. Pence's statement came during his address to the global chief of mission conference on Wednesday and gains significance as the White House is preparing for another summit between President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The two leaders have recently exchanged letters. Kim and Trump held a historic meeting in Singapore on June 12 last year where they issued a vague goal for the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean Peninsula without describing when and how it would occur. Pence said that the US awaits North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons. "While the president has started a promising dialogue with Chairman Kim, we still await concrete steps by North Korea to dismantle the nuclear weapons that threaten our people and our allies in the region," Pence said. In his address, Pence also said that Russia seeks to overturn the international order that the US has upheld for more than half a century. "Unlike the Soviet Union and its many client states, no shared ideology or objective unites our competitors and adversaries except this one. They seek to overturn the international order that the US has upheld for more than half a century," he said. "Truthfully, it is a pact surrounding what they perceive to be a common enemy, but the truth is the US will rise to that challenge, we will stand with our allies and we will advance our values and our principles in the world," Pence added. Targeting Iran, Pence said that president Trump is standing up to the Iranian regime which is making the west Asian nation change its ways. "And as we stand today, Iran is now under unprecedented pressure to change its ways," he said. "The message that the disastrous nuclear deal benefited the very mullahs who oppressed their people. And even as we've striven mightily to protect our most important interests, we've also fought hard. We have also fought hard not only to stand up to those who would challenge us but to advance American values on the world stage," Pence said.

North Korea yet to take concrete steps to dismantle nukes: Mike Pence

Japan and the United States will negotiate a bilateral trade agreement that will serve as a "model" for other countries, US vice-president Mike Pence said Tuesday in Tokyo.

Speaking after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, he reiterated Washington's position that US businesses have faced unfair obstacles in Japan.

"The United States has had a trade imbalance with Japan for too long. American products and services too often face barriers to compete fairly in Japanese markets," he said, standing alongside Abe.

"The best opportunity for free, fair and reciprocal trade will come in a bilateral trade agreement."

Abe and US President Donald Trump agreed in September to negotiate a trade pact, easing fears that Japan could be next in line in the White House's tariff offensive.

"When completed we're confident that this agreement will establish terms on goods and services," Pence said.

"The coming US-Japan trade agreement will be a model for the Indo-Pacific."

The United States and Japan, the world's first and third largest economies, together make up about 30 per cent of global GDP and have long had trade ties that are both fractious and interconnected.

Under Trump's predecessor, both countries were part of the broad deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was intended to serve as a bulwark against growing Chinese influence.

But Trump withdrew from the multilateral trade agreement shortly after taking office, and has been vocal about his preference for bilateral deals negotiated on terms more favourable for Washington.

Abe had hoped to see Washington return to the TPP, but agreed to the negotiations -- expected to begin in January -- as Trump upped the ante against other trading partners.

Pence was in Tokyo on a brief stop before attending several regional summits, including the ASEAN meeting in Singapore and APEC talks in Papua New Guinea.

Trump's decision to skip the meetings has raised eyebrows in some quarters, and prompted questions about Washington's commitment to the region, where China is increasingly influential. 
&nbsp;

Japan and the United States will negotiate a bilateral trade agreement that will serve as a "model" for other countries, US vice-president Mike Pence said Tuesday in Tokyo.

Japan and the United States will negotiate a bilateral trade agreement that will serve as a "model" for other countries, US vice-president Mike Pence said Tuesday in Tokyo. Speaking after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, he reiterated Washington's position that US businesses have faced unfair obstacles in Japan. "The United States has had a trade imbalance with Japan for too long. American products and services too often face barriers to compete fairly in Japanese markets," he said, standing alongside Abe. "The best opportunity for free, fair and reciprocal trade will come in a bilateral trade agreement." Abe and US President Donald Trump agreed in September to negotiate a trade pact, easing fears that Japan could be next in line in the White House's tariff offensive. "When completed we're confident that this agreement will establish terms on goods and services," Pence said. "The coming US-Japan trade agreement will be a model for the Indo-Pacific." The United States and Japan, the world's first and third largest economies, together make up about 30 per cent of global GDP and have long had trade ties that are both fractious and interconnected. Under Trump's predecessor, both countries were part of the broad deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was intended to serve as a bulwark against growing Chinese influence. But Trump withdrew from the multilateral trade agreement shortly after taking office, and has been vocal about his preference for bilateral deals negotiated on terms more favourable for Washington. Abe had hoped to see Washington return to the TPP, but agreed to the negotiations -- expected to begin in January -- as Trump upped the ante against other trading partners. Pence was in Tokyo on a brief stop before attending several regional summits, including the ASEAN meeting in Singapore and APEC talks in Papua New Guinea. Trump's decision to skip the meetings has raised eyebrows in some quarters, and prompted questions about Washington's commitment to the region, where China is increasingly influential.

US-Japan trade agreement will be model for Indo-Pacific: Pence

US Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday the timing of a long-awaited US Middle East peace initiative depends on the return of Palestinians to negotiations.

President Donald Trump&#39;s advisers have been working on the outlines of a plan for some time. But Palestinians ruled out Washington as a peace broker after the US leader&#39;s December 6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

&quot;The White House has been working with our partners in the region to see if we can develop a framework for peace,&quot; Pence told Reuters in an interview in Jerusalem on the last leg of his three-day Middle East trip. &quot;It all just depends now on when the Palestinians are going to come back to the table.&quot;

Trump&#39;s Jerusalem move angered the Palestinians, sparked protests in the Middle East and raised concern among Western countries that it could further destabilize the region.

Pence said he and the president believed the decision, under which the United States also plans to move its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, would improve peacemaking prospects.

Pence discussed the Jerusalem issue during talks with Egypt&#39;s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday and Jordan&#39;s King Abdullah on Sunday. He said the two leaders had agreed to convey to the Palestinians that the United States was eager to resume peace talks.

&quot;We want them (the Palestinians) to know the door is open. We understand they&#39;re unhappy with that decision but the president wanted me to convey our willingness and desire to be a part of the peace process going forward,&quot; Pence said.

Pence said the US State Department would spell out details in the coming weeks about a plan to move the US embassy to Jerusalem by the end of 2019.

Israeli media have speculated that a 2019 embassy move could help Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu win reelection in a vote scheduled for November of that year.

Asked if he hoped for Netanyahu&#39;s reelection, Pence said: &quot;I&#39;m a strong supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu, but I don&#39;t get a vote here.&quot;

US Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday the timing of a long-awaited US Middle East peace initiative depends on the return of Palestinians to negotiations

US Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday the timing of a long-awaited US Middle East peace initiative depends on the return of Palestinians to negotiations. President Donald Trump's advisers have been working on the outlines of a plan for some time. But Palestinians ruled out Washington as a peace broker after the US leader's December 6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "The White House has been working with our partners in the region to see if we can develop a framework for peace," Pence told Reuters in an interview in Jerusalem on the last leg of his three-day Middle East trip. "It all just depends now on when the Palestinians are going to come back to the table." Trump's Jerusalem move angered the Palestinians, sparked protests in the Middle East and raised concern among Western countries that it could further destabilize the region. Pence said he and the president believed the decision, under which the United States also plans to move its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, would improve peacemaking prospects. Pence discussed the Jerusalem issue during talks with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday and Jordan's King Abdullah on Sunday. He said the two leaders had agreed to convey to the Palestinians that the United States was eager to resume peace talks. "We want them (the Palestinians) to know the door is open. We understand they're unhappy with that decision but the president wanted me to convey our willingness and desire to be a part of the peace process going forward," Pence said. Pence said the US State Department would spell out details in the coming weeks about a plan to move the US embassy to Jerusalem by the end of 2019. Israeli media have speculated that a 2019 embassy move could help Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu win reelection in a vote scheduled for November of that year. Asked if he hoped for Netanyahu's reelection, Pence said: "I'm a strong supporter of Benjamin Netanyahu, but I don't get a vote here."

Timing of Trump peace plan depends on Palestinians: Pence

US Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday Washington would soon unveil its &quot;toughest sanctions ever&quot; on North Korea, adding that the regime in Pyongyang would not be allowed to &quot;hijack&quot; the upcoming Olympics.

Speaking in Japan before attending the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in South Korea, Pence pledged that Washington would &quot;intensify its maximum pressure campaign&quot; on the North, working with Tokyo.

&quot;I&#39;m announcing today that the United States will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever,&quot; he said, without giving further details.

Pence&#39;s three-day visit to Japan came as Washington seeks to bolster ties with its allies in the region and maintain pressure on the regime in Pyongyang despite a recent thaw on the peninsula.

&quot;All options are on the table and the US has deployed some of our most advanced military assets to Japan and the wider region to protect our homeland and our allies and we will continue to,&quot; vowed Pence.

To highlight what Washington calls the regime&#39;s human rights &quot;abuses&quot;, the vice president will attend the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Olympics with the father of the late former North Korea prisoner Otto Warmbier.

The US and North Korea have been locked in a fierce war of words.

US President Donald Trump has mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un as &quot;rocket man&quot; and the young dictator has threatened to rain nuclear destruction on the United States.&nbsp;

But Kim has taken a more conciliatory tone in 2018, calling for detente with the South Koreans and accepting an invitation for his country to participate in what is being billed as the &quot;peace Olympics.&quot;

The two Koreas held a rare high-level meeting last month and the North&#39;s ceremonial head of state is due to arrive Friday, the highest-ranking Pyongyang official ever to visit the South.

Nevertheless, the peninsula remains tense, with the North slamming anti-Pyongyang activists who protested against its participation as a &quot;spasm of psychopaths.&quot;

For his part, Abe said that Japan and the US had &quot;confirmed... that we can never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea.&quot;

Abe added that the allies would urge other countries not to be &quot;captivated by the charm offensive of North Korea.&quot;En route to Japan, Pence declined to rule out a meeting with the North Korean delegation also attending the opening ceremony, offering the faintest hope of a diplomatic breakthrough.

&quot;I have not requested a meeting, but we&#39;ll see what happens,&quot; Pence said during a stop in Alaska.

However, he appeared to take a tougher line in Tokyo, saying that North Korea must not be allowed to &quot;hijack the message and imagery of the Olympic Games.&quot;

&quot;We will not allow North Korea to hide behind the Olympic banner the reality that they enslave their people and threaten the wider region,&quot; he said.

It is not clear how long any respite in tensions will last after the Games, especially when the United States and South Korea resume their delayed joint annual military exercises, a perennial irritant for Pyongyang.

North Korea&#39;s official KCNA news agency warned on Tuesday the resumption of the drills will throw the Korean peninsula back to &quot;the grim phase of catastrophe&quot;.

Earlier Wednesday, Pence inspected Japan&#39;s missile defence system and stressed the &quot;unwavering&quot; commitment to what he called a &quot;critical&quot; alliance.

He will address troops at a US air base outside Tokyo on Thursday before heading on to South Korea.

Pence pledged that Washington would 'intensify its maximum pressure campaign' on the North, working with Tokyo

US Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday Washington would soon unveil its "toughest sanctions ever" on North Korea, adding that the regime in Pyongyang would not be allowed to "hijack" the upcoming Olympics. Speaking in Japan before attending the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in South Korea, Pence pledged that Washington would "intensify its maximum pressure campaign" on the North, working with Tokyo. "I'm announcing today that the United States will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever," he said, without giving further details. Pence's three-day visit to Japan came as Washington seeks to bolster ties with its allies in the region and maintain pressure on the regime in Pyongyang despite a recent thaw on the peninsula. "All options are on the table and the US has deployed some of our most advanced military assets to Japan and the wider region to protect our homeland and our allies and we will continue to," vowed Pence. To highlight what Washington calls the regime's human rights "abuses", the vice president will attend the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Olympics with the father of the late former North Korea prisoner Otto Warmbier. The US and North Korea have been locked in a fierce war of words. US President Donald Trump has mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un as "rocket man" and the young dictator has threatened to rain nuclear destruction on the United States. But Kim has taken a more conciliatory tone in 2018, calling for detente with the South Koreans and accepting an invitation for his country to participate in what is being billed as the "peace Olympics." The two Koreas held a rare high-level meeting last month and the North's ceremonial head of state is due to arrive Friday, the highest-ranking Pyongyang official ever to visit the South. Nevertheless, the peninsula remains tense, with the North slamming anti-Pyongyang activists who protested against its participation as a "spasm of psychopaths." For his part, Abe said that Japan and the US had "confirmed... that we can never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea." Abe added that the allies would urge other countries not to be "captivated by the charm offensive of North Korea."En route to Japan, Pence declined to rule out a meeting with the North Korean delegation also attending the opening ceremony, offering the faintest hope of a diplomatic breakthrough. "I have not requested a meeting, but we'll see what happens," Pence said during a stop in Alaska. However, he appeared to take a tougher line in Tokyo, saying that North Korea must not be allowed to "hijack the message and imagery of the Olympic Games." "We will not allow North Korea to hide behind the Olympic banner the reality that they enslave their people and threaten the wider region," he said. It is not clear how long any respite in tensions will last after the Games, especially when the United States and South Korea resume their delayed joint annual military exercises, a perennial irritant for Pyongyang. North Korea's official KCNA news agency warned on Tuesday the resumption of the drills will throw the Korean peninsula back to "the grim phase of catastrophe". Earlier Wednesday, Pence inspected Japan's missile defence system and stressed the "unwavering" commitment to what he called a "critical" alliance. He will address troops at a US air base outside Tokyo on Thursday before heading on to South Korea.

Pence announces 'toughest' US sanctions on North Korea

US Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an NFL game Sunday when some players kneeled for the national anthem, the latest twist in a running saga over the controversial protests against racial injustice.

Pence said that he departed after seeing players kneel during &quot;The Star-Spangled Banner&quot; ahead of the clash between his home team the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers.

&quot;I left today&#39;s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,&quot; Pence wrote on Twitter.

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<h5>I left today&#39;s Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,&#39; Pence wrote on Twitter</h5>
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While Colts players stood arm-in-arm at their home game in Indianapolis, more than 20 of the opposition San Francisco 49ers players knelt during the song.

It was a less organized gesture than the team&#39;s demonstration last week, when 30 players kneeled with hands on hearts while teammates stood behind them, but it should have come as little shock to Pence, an Indiana native who tweeted his photo in Colts cap and shirt before the game.

&quot;While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don&#39;t think it&#39;s too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem,&quot; Pence tweeted. &quot;I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem.&quot;

Trump took credit for the departure of Pence and his wife from the stadium in a later tweet, saying, &quot;I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.&quot;

San Francisco safety Eric Reid, one of the players to embrace the anthem protest after it was initiated by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick last year, said Pence&#39;s walk-out looked like a publicity stunt.

&quot;With the information I have, the last time he went to a Colts game was three years ago, so this looks like a PR stunt to me,&quot; said Reid, noting that the picture Pence had tweeted of himself and his wife in Colts apparel appeared to be the same as one taken at a game three years ago.

The vice president also tweeted a picture of himself, clad in a button-down shirt and blazer, and his wife standing for the anthem on Sunday.

&quot;He knew our team has had the most players protest. He knew we were probably going to do it again,&quot; Reid said.

&quot;And so this is what systemic oppression looks like -- a man with power comes to the game, tweets a couple things out and leaves the game with an attempt to thwart our efforts.&quot;

Pence, who flew to Indianapolis from Las Vegas and was scheduled to head back west to California, was criticized in other quarters as well.

&quot;After all the scandals involving unnecessarily expensive travel by cabinet secretaries, how much taxpayer money was wasted on this stunt?&quot; US congressman Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, said in a tweet.

The kneeling has largely been done by African-American players as a protest against racial injustice

US Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an NFL game Sunday when some players kneeled for the national anthem, the latest twist in a running saga over the controversial protests against racial injustice. Pence said that he departed after seeing players kneel during "The Star-Spangled Banner" ahead of the clash between his home team the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers. "I left today's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem," Pence wrote on Twitter. I left today's Colts game because President Trump and I will not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers, our Flag, or our National Anthem,' Pence wrote on Twitter × While Colts players stood arm-in-arm at their home game in Indianapolis, more than 20 of the opposition San Francisco 49ers players knelt during the song. It was a less organized gesture than the team's demonstration last week, when 30 players kneeled with hands on hearts while teammates stood behind them, but it should have come as little shock to Pence, an Indiana native who tweeted his photo in Colts cap and shirt before the game. "While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don't think it's too much to ask NFL players to respect the Flag and our National Anthem," Pence tweeted. "I stand with President Trump, I stand with our soldiers, and I will always stand for our Flag and our National Anthem." Trump took credit for the departure of Pence and his wife from the stadium in a later tweet, saying, "I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen." San Francisco safety Eric Reid, one of the players to embrace the anthem protest after it was initiated by former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick last year, said Pence's walk-out looked like a publicity stunt. "With the information I have, the last time he went to a Colts game was three years ago, so this looks like a PR stunt to me," said Reid, noting that the picture Pence had tweeted of himself and his wife in Colts apparel appeared to be the same as one taken at a game three years ago. The vice president also tweeted a picture of himself, clad in a button-down shirt and blazer, and his wife standing for the anthem on Sunday. "He knew our team has had the most players protest. He knew we were probably going to do it again," Reid said. "And so this is what systemic oppression looks like -- a man with power comes to the game, tweets a couple things out and leaves the game with an attempt to thwart our efforts." Pence, who flew to Indianapolis from Las Vegas and was scheduled to head back west to California, was criticized in other quarters as well. "After all the scandals involving unnecessarily expensive travel by cabinet secretaries, how much taxpayer money was wasted on this stunt?" US congressman Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, said in a tweet.

US VP Mike Pence walks out of NFL game after players kneel during national anthem

United States Vice President Mike Pence has denied any wrongdoing after a newspaper report suggested that he had a private email account while he was the governor of Indiana.

Pence denied being a hypocrite for having attacked the 2016 Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for having private account while she was in White House.

He said there was &quot;no comparison whatsoever&quot; with Clinton as she had a &quot;private server&quot; and &quot;misused classified information&quot;.

Emails obtained by his home state Indianapolis Star newspaper showed that Pence used the private account to discuss issues including &quot;sensitive matters&quot; and &quot;homeland security issues.&quot;

&quot;I&#39;m very confident we are in full compliance with all of Indiana&#39;s laws. And in my service as vice president I will continue that practice,&quot; he said.

Indiana law does permit government officials to maintain a private account,&nbsp;but generally does require that messages connected to official business be kept for public information purposes.

Pence&#39;s office told the paper that his campaign had taken steps to allow outside counsel to transfer personal emails dealing with public business to the state.

Former Democratic presidential candidate Clinton was dogged throughout her White House campaign by her use of a private email server while secretary of state.&nbsp;

She has said FBI director James Comey played a part in her campaign loss, claiming that his agency&#39;s re-opening of a probe into her email use less than two weeks before the election broke the momentum towards victory.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Pence said unlike him, Hillary Clinton's use of a private server was wrong as she used it to 'misuse classified information'

United States Vice President Mike Pence has denied any wrongdoing after a newspaper report suggested that he had a private email account while he was the governor of Indiana. Pence denied being a hypocrite for having attacked the 2016 Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for having private account while she was in White House. He said there was "no comparison whatsoever" with Clinton as she had a "private server" and "misused classified information". Emails obtained by his home state Indianapolis Star newspaper showed that Pence used the private account to discuss issues including "sensitive matters" and "homeland security issues." "I'm very confident we are in full compliance with all of Indiana's laws. And in my service as vice president I will continue that practice," he said. Indiana law does permit government officials to maintain a private account, but generally does require that messages connected to official business be kept for public information purposes. Pence's office told the paper that his campaign had taken steps to allow outside counsel to transfer personal emails dealing with public business to the state. Former Democratic presidential candidate Clinton was dogged throughout her White House campaign by her use of a private email server while secretary of state. She has said FBI director James Comey played a part in her campaign loss, claiming that his agency's re-opening of a probe into her email use less than two weeks before the election broke the momentum towards victory. (WION with inputs from AFP)

US Vice President Mike Pence downplays private email storm

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