By Steve Neavling
Former Vice President Mike Pence rejected the baseless conspiracy theory that the FBI orchestrated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“I’ve heard the many repeated assurances from the FBI that they were not involved, and I take them at their word,” Pence said in an interview on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday.
Pence also thanked the FBI for holding the rioters accountable.
A poll last week found that a quarter of Americans believe the FBI “probably” or “definitely” organized and encouraged the insurrection.
Multiple investigations into the Capitol riot have revealed no evidence of the FBI playing even a remote part in the attack.
FBI leaders have also repeatedly denied any involvement.
About 700 people charged in the attack have pleaded guilty to federal crimes, ranging from trespassing to assaulting police. Another 130 have been found guilty during a trial.
Pence, once a loyalist to former President Trump, said he was incensed with what happened at the Capitol.
“It just infuriated me,” Pence said. “I remember thinking, you know, ‘Not this, not here, not at the United States Capitol.'”
