Donald Trump’s bold pardons for Jan. 6 demonstrators have Mike Pence crying foul, as Breitbart reports.

Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, the former vice president criticized Trump’s decision to free individuals accused of assaulting police during the 2021 Capitol chaos. But is Pence missing the bigger picture of Trump’s fight for justice?

Pence called Trump’s pardons of alleged cop-beaters on Jan. 6, 2021, flat-out wrong, urging condemnation of all violence.

While he’s waving the law-and-order flag, Trump’s move reflects a deeper conservative frustration with overzealous prosecutions. The MAGA base sees these pardons as a stand against a weaponized justice system.

Trump’s recent pardons aim to correct what many conservatives view as unfair targeting of patriots caught up in the moment. Pence’s pushback risks alienating those who see Trump as their champion.

Trump’s pardons stir the pot

“We cannot allow or stand by while people assault law enforcement officers,” Pence said. Fair enough, but Trump’s supporters argue the pardons address a broader injustice -- years of selective outrage from the left. Why clutch pearls over January 6 when progressive riots often get a free pass?

FBI Director Kash Patel, a longtime Trump ally, backed the president’s blanket pardon of Jan. 6 participants. Yet, Patel also warned Los Angeles protesters: “Hit a cop, you’re going to jail.” His tough talk shows Trump’s team isn’t soft on crime, just skeptical of D.C.’s double standards.

Pence wants universal condemnation of violence, but Trump’s pardons resonate with conservatives fed up with one-sided justice. The former VP’s stance feels like a lecture from the establishment, not a defense of the forgotten American. Trump, as always, is playing to the base’s heartbeat.

Violence plagues nation

Beyond Jan. 6, political violence is spiking. Jewish peaceful protesters have faced attacks, and the governor of Pennsylvania’s home was targeted. Trump’s pardons don’t excuse violence -- they challenge a system that picks and chooses its villains.

Trump himself dodged two assassination attempts on the campaign trail. Pence noted these attacks, calling for unity against violence, but Trump’s resilience only fuels his supporters’ loyalty. The man’s a lightning rod, and his pardons are a middle finger to those trying to take him down.

Then came the gut-wrenching attack that killed Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, injuring another colleague and his spouse.

Pence offered prayers, but Trump’s base sees this tragedy as more proof the system fails to protect conservatives. The pardons are a push for fairness, not chaos.

Trump’s fight to retain the base

“This is a moment when we need to make it very clear that anyone who would ever use violence… must be condemned universally,” Pence insisted. But Trump’s pardons aren’t about glorifying violence -- they’re about questioning a justice system that hounds conservatives while ignoring progressive mobs. That’s a distinction Pence seems to miss.

Host Dana Bash tried to dunk on Patel, highlighting his support for pardoning Capitol rioters who attacked police. Her gotcha moment falls flat when you consider Patel’s broader point: conservatives are tired of being the left’s punching bag. Trump’s pardons are a rallying cry for equality under the law.

Trump’s MAGA movement thrives on challenging the status quo, and these pardons are classic Trump -- bold, divisive, and unapologetic. Pence’s criticism might score points with the Beltway crowd, but it’s out of touch with the heartland. Conservatives want a fighter, not a sermon.

A Movement at a crossroads

Pence’s call for principle is noble, but Trump’s pardons tap into a raw conservative anger. The MAGA faithful see a justice system that slaps wrists for progressive violence but throws the book at Trump supporters. That double standard is why Trump’s pardons hit home.

From Hortman’s tragic death to attacks on peaceful protesters, political violence demands a response. Trump’s pardons aren’t the problem -- they’re a symptom of a broken system that Pence’s platitudes can’t fix. Conservatives want action, and Trump delivers.

Ultimately, Pence’s State of the Union jab at Trump shows a rift in the conservative camp. Trump’s pardons may be messy, but they’re a stand for the little guy against a rigged game. The MAGA base will stick with the fighter who’s got their back.