As former Vice President Mike Pence made his entrance at President Donald Trump's inauguration, he was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd at Capital One Arena.
The arena was filled with Trump supporters who had gathered in anticipation of the inaugural parade scheduled for later that day. Pence, who served as Trump's Vice President during his initial term, has faced criticism from many conservatives following the 2020 presidential election. His refusal to assist in overturning the election results, which saw Trump lose to President Joe Biden, has left a lasting impact on his standing within the party.
According to Newsweek, Pence's unsuccessful bid against Trump in the 2024 GOP presidential primary underscores the former President's growing influence within the Republican Party. The reception Pence received at the inauguration was notably harsh, with CBS News reporter Natalie Brand noting "loud boos from Capital One Arena as Trump's first Vice President Mike Pence" arrived. NBC News's Tom Llamas observed that the "loudest boos" were directed at Pence rather than at President Biden or other Democrats present. Videos circulating on social media captured the crowd's reaction when a video of Pence's arrival was shown.
Despite the chilly reception at Capital One Arena, The Hill reported that Pence was met with a standing ovation at the official inauguration ceremony. Pence had previously explained his decision not to endorse Trump during the 2024 election cycle, telling Fox News, "Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years." This statement highlights the ideological rift between Pence and Trump.
In a message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Pence expressed his commitment to the democratic process: "Today, I will attend the Inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at the U.S. Capitol. This is a day when every American does well to celebrate our democracy and the peaceful transfer of power under the Constitution of the United States." He urged Americans to pray for the new administration as they take on the responsibilities of leadership.
The reaction to Pence's presence at the inauguration reflects a broader sentiment within the Republican Party, as noted by Tom Llamas on NBC News: "It's somewhat surprising. You know he's not popular in MAGA world, but to hear the loudest boos for him says a lot about how the Republican Party, at least the Republican Party right now, a lot of them feel about Mike Pence." As Trump begins his new term, he is anticipated to swiftly implement a series of executive orders aimed at advancing a conservative agenda, particularly in areas such as immigration and the economy.
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