Pence urges Republicans to stop attacking FBI personnel

Former Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday he is concerned by the FBI's raid of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, but urged Republicans to stop "attacking" rank-and-file FBI personnel and calling to defund the law enforcement agency.

"This unprecedented action does demand unprecedented transparency," the vice president said about the raid last week.  "I also want to remind my fellow Republicans: We can hold the attorney general accountable for the decision that he made without attacking rank-and-file law enforcement personnel at the FBI,"

Pence made the statement to applause at the "Politics and Eggs" breakfast at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire.

He acknowledging that he and Trump, under whom he served all four years, have had a tense relationship following the 2020 election. Still, Pence said, he was "deeply troubled to learn that a search warrant had been executed at the personal residence of a former president of the United States."

Pence stated that during his time as vice president he saw "politicization" of the FBI and now, Attorney General Merrick Garland has not provided "nearly enough" information about the raid.

"The Republican Party is the party of law and order," he continued. "Our party stands with the men and women who serve on the thin blue line at the federal, state and local level."

FBI officials are concerned about increased threats facing agents after the raid.

Last week, an armed man allegedly attempted to breach the FBI's Cincinnati Field Office visitor's facility. He died following an hours-long standoff.

"These attacks on the FBI must stop. Calls to defund the FBI are just as wrong as calls to defund the police," Pence said, going against calls from some Republicans such as Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to defund the FBI after the raid.

Pence made headlines during the event Wednesday for also saying he would "consider" testifying to the House Jan. 6 committee if asked to do so.