BOSTON (AP) 鈥� Former Vice President on Sunday will receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his refusal to go along with President efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election.
The award recognizes Pence 鈥渇or putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan. 6, 2021,鈥� the JFK Library Foundation said, when it made the announcement last month. Pence will receive the award at the JFK Library in Boston.
Trump to reject election results from swing states where the Republican president falsely claimed the vote was marred by fraud. Pence refused, saying he lacked such authority. When stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to 鈥渉ang Mike Pence.鈥� Pence was whisked away by Secret Service agents, narrowly avoiding a confrontation with the rioters.
鈥淢ike Pence didn鈥檛 have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify,鈥� Trump wrote at the time on X, formerly Twitter, as rioters moved through the Capitol and Pence was in hiding with his family, aides and security detail inside the building.
Pence rejected the Secret Service鈥檚 advice that he leave the Capitol, staying to continue the ceremonial election certification of Democrat Joe Biden鈥檚 presidential victory once rioters were cleared.
The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honors public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences. Previous recipients of the award include former Presidents Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford.
鈥淧olitical courage is not outdated in the United States. At every level of government, leaders are putting country first, and not backing down,鈥� Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg, JFK鈥檚 daughter and grandson, both of whom will present Pence with the award, said in a statement. “His decision is an example of President Kennedy鈥檚 belief that an act of political courage can change the course of history.鈥�
Pence said in a statement that he鈥檚 鈥渄eeply humbled and honored鈥� to get the award.
鈥淚 have been inspired by the life and words of President John F. Kennedy since my youth and am honored to join the company of so many distinguished Americans who have received this recognition in the past,鈥� Pence said.
Pence has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to take on the Trump administration.
His political action group, Advancing American Freedom, campaigned against the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the nation鈥檚 health agencies. He鈥檚 delivered speeches urging the president to and on the limits of presidential power after that, 鈥淗e who saves his Country does not violate any Law.鈥�
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