What former VP Mike Pence said as he received the JFK Profile in Courage Award
Former Vice President Mike Pence received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election and ensuring the peaceful transfer of power on the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
In his remarks at the May 4 ceremony in Boston, Pence described that winter day as starting out "tragic" but ending as a "triumph for freedom."
Pence, the former Indiana governor, who served as President Donald Trump's first vice president, publicly split with Trump after refusing to block the certification of the 2020 election, which former President Joe Biden won.
After leaving Washington, D.C., Pence launched and ended his own campaign for president in 2023 and has not hesitated to criticize the policies of the current Trump administration.
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award has been given out annually since 1989 to "public servants for making a courageous decision of conscience without regard for the personal or professional consequences." Past winners include former U.S. Sen. John McCain and former President Barack Obama.
Here is what Pence said at the 2025 Profile in Courage Award ceremony on May 4.
On his actions on Jan. 6, 2021
Pence said he felt "profoundly unworthy" to be associated with the award for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.
"When I think of that fateful day four years ago, the only heroes I saw were wearing uniforms," he said.
Pence told the room at the ceremony that he "will always believe" he did his duty that day "to support the peaceful transfer of power under the constitution."
"January 6 was a tragic day," Pence said. "But it became a triumph of freedom, and history will record that our institutions held when, after law enforcement secured the Capitol, leaders in both chambers, in both political parties reconvened the very same day and finished democracy's work under the Constitution."
On the impact of his family and staff
Pence during his remarks thanked members of his family and staff who stood behind him during his career and on Jan. 6, 2021. He highlighted his wife, former Second Lady Karen Pence, and his children and their spouses.
He also pointed out "three men who stood by me through that fateful day," his brother and former U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, his former chief of staff Marc Short and his former general counsel Greg Jacob.
"If history remembers any of our service, I pray history will remember your indispensable counsel and courage during those fateful days in the life of our nation," Pence said.
On David Letterman's presence at the award ceremony
Pence joked early in his speech that he and Karen Pence felt some anxiety about the award ceremony, but knowing fellow Hoosier and comedian David Letterman was in the audience helped ease any concerns.
"Karen and I thought we might just be a category of two," Pence said. "But then we heard that David Letterman would be here and so there'd be three Hoosiers in the room."
On "words of encouragement" since January 6, 2021
Pence thanked both Hoosiers and Americans for "the honor to serve you."
"The words of encouragement over the last four years in airports and diners, stopping me on the street, people speaking a word of gratitude from every political background and I've heard over and over again, including through this special evening," Pence said. "Thank you all."
Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.
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