Trump defends Capitol rioters who threatened to hang Mike Pence

In an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl on March 18, former President Donald Trump defended insurrectionists who threatened to hang former Vice President Mike Pence, citing false claims of election fraud.

Video Transcript

JONATHAN KARL: Were you worried about him during that siege? Were you worried about his safety?

DONALD TRUMP: No. I thought he was well protected, and I had heard that he was in good shape. No, because I had heard he was in very good shape. But no, I think--

JONATHAN KARL: Because you heard those chants. That was terrible. I mean, it was, you know, the--

DONALD TRUMP: He could have-- well, the people were very angry.

JONATHAN KARL: They were saying hang Mike Pence.

DONALD TRUMP: Because it's common sense, John. It's common sense that you're supposed to protect. How can you-- if you know a vote is fraudulent, right, how can you pass on a fraudulent vote to Congress?