Former Vice President Mike Pence turned Denison University's Babcock Lecture into a full-throated defense of his record Wednesday night in Granville, praising U.S. military action in Iran while again staking out his place in the history of Jan. 6. Speaking inside Swasey Chapel, Pence told the audience that "in my experience in our four years, President Trump listened" and repeated a now-familiar line about that day at the Capitol: "by God's grace I did my duty that day." He also voiced support for removing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and left the stage without taking questions after the on-stage discussion.
Denison hosted the Babcock Lecture
The appearance was part of Denison's long-running Babcock Lecture Series. The university's event page describes the evening as a moderated conversation with Katy Crossley-Frolick held in Swasey Chapel, with ticketed entry and security screening required, according to Denison University. The series, the school notes, has a track record of bringing national conservative figures to the Granville campus.
What he said on foreign policy and Jan. 6
Pence praised what he called the decision to use military force in Iran and said he and President Donald Trump "worked together closely" during their four years in office, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. He also backed efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. On Jan. 6, he returned to the same defense he has used in previous public appearances, repeating that "by God's grace I did my duty that day," language that has been highlighted by The Associated Press. The Dispatch also noted that Pence did not take questions from reporters after the event.
Where this fits nationally
Pence's praise for the use of force in Iran matches earlier comments he has made about U.S. strikes and Trump's leadership, remarks that have drawn favorable coverage in conservative outlets, including Fox News. Public opinion on the conflict remains sharply split along party lines. A Pew Research Center report found wide Republican support for military action and broad Democratic opposition, underscoring the political stakes behind Pence's remarks.
Local implications
Denison's Babcock Series, which the university says has hosted national figures such as James Baker, Jon Huntsman and Bobby Jindal, regularly gives conservative officeholders and policymakers a platform on campus, according to Denison University. For Granville and the wider Columbus-area political crowd, Pence's visit offered a front-row view of ongoing debates over the Iran war and the relationship between Pence and Trump as Republicans work out how to present a wartime foreign policy record to voters.
