The host of ABC’s “Nightline” asked Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday if he “talk[s] to God” about the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Arguing the White House didn’t react soon enough to the ongoing health crisis, anchor Byron Pitts asked Pence if he’s repented in prayer for the way he, as the leader of the coronavirus task force, handled the early days of the outbreak.
“I ask this not in a political way,” Pitts said, framing his question. “But for you, sir, like so many of us in our nation, you are a person of deep faith; no one doubts that. When you talk to God in your moments alone, do you feel yourself worrying at all that people you represent and care deeply about have died and will die who did not need to because of steps that the federal government did not take soon enough?”
The vice president, for his part, said he is confident the country “will come through this” pandemic.
“Well, thank you for mentioning that we are talking about one American at a time, and I promise you, that’s the way President Trump thinks of this; it’s the way I think of it,” Pence said. “We wanted the American people to see the numbers so that we understand the challenging days that lie ahead, but I want people to know that our future is in your hands — that if every one of us will do and put into practice the guidelines for America, that we can bring those numbers down. I really do believe we’ll get through this and we’ll come out stronger than ever before.”
Earlier on in the White House’s response to the pandemic, Pence was mocked for turning to prayer.
The vice president was ridiculed for a photo that showed him praying alongside the nation’s top medical experts and administrators. Some suggested Pence’s strategy was just to “pray away” the virus.
None of the Christian politician’s critics seemed to acknowledge the fact that Pence’s daily meetings with medical experts makes it clear he’s also relying on government and medical action to end this pandemic.