Former Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday admitted he cant defend the very serious allegations against Donald Trump involving the alleged mishandling of classified documents .

Having read the indictment, these are very serious allegations. And I cant defend what is alleged, Pence told The Wall Street Journal editorial board after Trump was arraigned in a Miami courthouse.

But the president is entitled to his day in court, hes entitled to bring a defense, and I want to reserve judgment until he has the opportunity to respond, added Pence, now Trumps rival in the 2024 Republican presidential race.

Pence said that even the inadvertent release of information on Americas nuclear program or defense capabilities could compromise our national security and the safety of our armed forces.

And, frankly, having two members of our immediate family serving in the armed forces of the United States, I will never diminish the importance of protecting our nations secrets, he added.

Pence did, though, suggest it was hard for me to believe that politics didnt play some role in this decision to charge Trump with federal crimes.