Trump disparages Pence in Nashville speech for lack of 'courage' as Jan. 6 hearings continue

Former President Donald Trump on Friday criticized former Vice President Mike Pence as lacking “courage” for refusing to carry out a plan to overturn the 2020 election results, echoing a tweet Trump sent on Jan. 6, 2021 as the country’s second-in-command sheltered from a violent mob attacking the U.S. Capitol.

In a keynote speech at a conservative Christian political conference in Nashville, Trump delivered a lengthy speech against what he calls a “ludicrous narrative” and “witch hunt” as a House committee continues its investigation into Trump’s role in the attack.

Former Trump aides and staff testified on Thursday of Trump’s efforts to pressure Pence to illegally reject the 2020 election results. A former Trump assistant testified Trump called Pence a “wimp” in a heated Jan. 6 phone call.

“I never called Mike Pence a wimp,” Trump said. “Mike Pence had a chance to be great. He had a chance to be, frankly, historic, but just like Bill Barr and the rest of these weak people, Mike did not have the courage to act.”

What was revealed on Day 3 of the hearings?: Jan. 6 hearing revelations: Trump called Pence a 'wimp' as VP resisted 'pressure campaign' to overturn election

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The bipartisan committee on Thursday alleged Trump's actions endangered the vice president's life in his pursuit of a legal theory that Pence could overturn the election. Pence refused to do so. Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee, called the strategy "illegal and unconstitutional."

Enthusiastic crowd for speakers

Trump spoke to an enthusiastic crowd at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, where hundreds gathered this week to hear prominent conservative and evangelical speakers at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's "Road to Majority."

Despite the friendly reception, Trump's speech struck a discordant tone from other speakers at the conference that at times resembled a well-produced church service.

Following a speech from Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw encouraging Republicans not to match the "sheer anger of the left" in actions and rhetoric, Trump mocked political opponents' appearances and said he believes one Republican on the select committee has a "mental disorder."

When are the Jan. 6 hearings?: Jan. 6 committee hearing schedule: Here's what to expect about at upcoming Jan. 6 hearings

The conference featured a slate of Republican heavy hitters and Tennessee’s Senate delegation, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. Bill Hagerty and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, all of whom avoided any mention of the ongoing Jan. 6 committee investigation on Thursday and early Friday.

Before his own speech at the Faith & Freedom conference, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, tweeted Thursday that "Real America" doesn't care about the Jan. 6 investigations.