In 2020, former Vice President Mike Pence was honored with the celebrated John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. This tribute by the JFK Library Foundation celebrates his courageous decision during one of the most important times in American democracy. The award ceremony was held in early November. It fawned over Pence’s brave decision to certify the electoral votes on January 6, 2021, under extraordinary pressure from then-President Donald Trump and his followers.
The award takes its name from President John F. Kennedy’s 1957 book Profiles in Courage. It pays tribute to those men and women who demonstrate remarkable bravery in the midst of challenge. The book features profiles of eight U.S. Senators who took principled stands, enduring criticism and backlash for their actions.
When announcing the award, the JFK Library Foundation praised Pence for standing up for democracy. Last January, Pence was in the chair on a congressional session. That session was supposed to be a mostly perfunctory ceremony, certifying Joe Biden’s electoral votes. The beautiful, dynamic session was dramatically cut short by tragedy. On January 6, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in the hopes of overturning the certified election results by claiming massive fraud.
Even with Trump’s very public denunciations and insistent demands that Pence stop the certification process, Pence did the right thing and upheld his constitutional responsibility. He later reflected on the events of January 6, stating, “It became a triumph of freedom. History will record that our institutions held.”
Pence’s actions on January 6 became a significant moment in U.S. history, as they represented a stand for democratic principles in the face of intense political pressure. Following the Capitol insurrection, Trump was indicted on several criminal counts stemming from his efforts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election. At the same time, he pardoned or commuted the sentences of over 1,500 perpetrators of the insurrection.
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award celebrates extraordinary public servants for their courageous acts of conscience in the lives of the communities they serve. Notable recipients of the award are former Presidents Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush, underscoring the prestigious nature of the accolade.
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