Media

CNN’s John King Questions If Karen Pence Deserves Secret Service Protection

(CNN 1/18/2019)

Mike Brest Reporter
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CNN’s John King asked his panel if second lady Karen Pence should receive her taxpayer-provided accommodations, like housing and Secret Service protection, after deciding to work as a part-time art teacher at a Christian school.

Karen Pence announced earlier this week that she will be teaching at Immanuel Christian School, a K-8 Christian school in Springfield, Virginia.

Backlash ensued because the school adheres to Christian teachings. They reserve the right to refuse applicants or expel students who engage in homosexual or transgendered behavior, or otherwise violate “the moral principles of the school.” (RELATED: PHOTOS: Karen Pence Unveils Christmas Decorations At VP Residence)

Karoun Demirjian, Julie Pace and Olivier Knox were on the panel.

WATCH:

“I think it’s somewhat unsurprising coming from them. They have really been backed by the evangelical community. That is who they view as their base. This is also very personal for them. This is their core beliefs,” Pace began.

“When you use your core beliefs in this kind of public way, obviously it does open yourself up to criticism, and I think the Pences might be a little naive to think that wouldn’t happen if she is going to make this decision. It’s interesting to me they made no attempt to get ahead of it,” she continued. “They made this announcement that she would be working at the school and then saw the backlash come a couple days later.”

“Does it matter that all taxpayers pay for her housing, all taxpayers pay for her Secret Service protection? It’s not her fault she needs protection, that’s the world we live in. But all taxpayers pay for – subsidize her life. Does it matter?” King asked.

Knox chimed in, “So do you mean, does her — do her First Amendment freedoms get somehow curtailed because taxpayers pay for her accommodations and security? I don’t know a lot of people would sign on for that.”

Vice President Mike Pence defended his wife over the backlash, calling it “deeply offensive” in a Thursday interview with EWTN.

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