VP Mike Pence Says Pres. Donald Trump Will Not Hesitate To Deploy Military If Gov. Tom Wolf Can't Stop 'Violence' In Pennsylvania
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Vice President Mike Pence says President Donald Trump will not hesitate to use the military in Pennsylvania if Gov. Tom Wolf and local mayors are unable to halt local riots and looting.
WATCH: Jon Delano's Full Interview With VP Mike Pence
"We stand ready, as previous administrations have done, to deploy active-duty military personnel to quell the violence, to quell the looting," Pence told KDKA Political Editor Jon Delano on Tuesday in an exclusive interview.
Pence says he and President Trump are standing up for law and order even if state and local officials do not act.
"To see these rioters that are engaging in looting, to actually see the violence against these law enforcement officers that took place last night in New York and in Missouri, is absolutely inexcusable," said Pence.
His advice to local and state officials: "The president and I will continue to urge the governors, like Governor Wolf, to call up the National Guard, deploy them to the streets and in a strong and decisive manner to restore order. The American people expect nothing less."
Wolf says he has 120 National Guard members on standby in Pittsburgh, but they have not yet been requested or deployed here.
Delano: "In your view, Mr. Vice President, has Governor Wolf and the local mayors failed?"
Pence: "I'd leave that to people in the community to judge. We're obviously tracking violent rioting and looting in major cities around the country. But I do know that Governor Wolf, as of yesterday morning, had only called up 500 or 600 of the National Guard."
Related stories:
- 'Damn Shame': Pittsburgh Police Chief Says White Males Dressed In Anarchist Attire Hijacked George Floyd Protests Downtown
- From Peaceful To Violent: Protest In Downtown Leave Damaged Cars, Looted Stores
- Port Authority Suspends All Service On Saturday Night
- 'Pittsburghers Unite Against Racism, Against Hate': Downtown Protests Were Peaceful, Until They Weren't
- Pittsburgh Public Safety Places Curfew On Downtown Pittsburgh
- Gov. Tom Wolf Signs Disaster Emergency Declaration To Help Cities During Protests
- Hundreds Of People Take To Social Media To Share Their View Of Pittsburgh Protests, Looting, And Violence
- Pittsburgh Public Safety Has Declared 'Unlawful Assembly' Downtown, Urging Businesses To Close, Residents To Stay Home
- Store Windows Broken, Police Cruisers Set On Fire, As Downtown Pittsburgh Protest Over The Death Of George Floyd Turns Violent
Pence says both he and the President have no problems with peaceful protests, and he condemns the killing of George Floyd.
Delano: "Have you considered taking a knee as others have done in solidarity with George Floyd?"
Vice President Pence deflected the question, so KDKA's Jon Delano tried again.
Delano: "And would you take a knee in solidarity?"
- For more information on the George Floyd case, visit CBS Minnesota here.
Pence: "We stand with peaceful protesters, as the President said, all across this country."
