Vivek Ramaswamy stated on Sunday that pardoning ex-President Donald Trump could “mend” the nation but emphasized it won’t be the pinnacle of his tenure if he becomes the president.
Ramaswamy, who’s currently second in some GOP presidential polls, mentioned on ABC’s “This Week” that while “my campaign might benefit if Donald Trump were out of the race,” he opposes any attempt to force the leading Republican contender out amidst the four charges against him.
“We’re on a concerning path,” he told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “We’re moving towards greater division. I dread the thought of experiencing another day like January 6. However, the remedy lies in propelling this nation ahead, not resorting to vendetta-based prosecutions to prevent a single individual from running, transforming our democracy into something it isn’t.”
When Stephanopoulos questioned Ramaswamy’s support for Trump, given his strong words about January 6, Ramaswamy clarified, “There’s a distinction between poor decision-making and a crime.” He also highlighted the collective commitment made by Republicans at the Milwaukee debate to back the final 2024 GOP presidential nominee.
“Our elections are about party members choosing their nominee and then the general populace electing their president,” Ramaswamy stated. “It’s concerning that this basic principle seems foreign today. I’m in this race to be that choice. Our discussions should center on who can best revitalize our economy, unify us, and establish our position globally.”
Ramaswamy elaborated, “My vision goes beyond Trump’s in promoting an America First approach that includes everyone. The media’s focus on one individual’s trials shouldn’t be the focal point of an election. To be clear, if Trump secures the nomination, I’ll back him. As president, I’d pardon him for the nation’s unity. However, this isn’t the primary mission of my potential presidency. It’s just a step towards a better future.”
Addressing the characterization of charges against Trump as “unlawful,” Ramaswamy argued the indictment related to Mar-a-Lago documents doesn’t reference the Presidential Records Act.
He said, “The Espionage Act, which Trump is charged under, feels contrary to our nation’s values. I wouldn’t have retained those documents. But I don’t view it as violating the Presidential Records Act.”
On the January 6 Capitol event, when Stephanopoulos questioned the propriety of Trump’s actions, Ramaswamy responded, “He advocated for a peaceful protest. Would I have done that? No. But there’s a distinction between that and a crime.” He reiterated his stance, “I don’t agree with many of his actions that day. But equating it with a prosecutable crime could jeopardize our First Amendment rights and lead to political vendettas during elections – that’s not the direction I envision for America.”
Ramaswamy concluded, “Our conversations revolve excessively around the Trumps. Let’s focus on American families and the country’s trajectory. How do we dismantle the overreach of the administrative body that unfairly targeted Trump? That’s my primary concern – confronting that unchecked power structure.”
