Leo Varadkar meets Mike Pence after he receives award for January 6th actions
James Cox
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar met former US vice president Mike Pence after he received an award for his refusal to go along with Donald Trump’s efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election.
Mr Pence received the John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Sunday.
In a post on Instagram, Mr Varadkar shared a photo from the Kennedy Library in Boston where he posed with his partner Matt Barrett, Mr Pence and former US ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin.
He captioned the post: "Was a priviledge to be at the Kennedy Library last night to see Caroline Kennedy and Jack Schlossberg present Fmr Vice-President Mike Pence with the Profiles in Courage Award for 2025. It takes real leadership to stand up to your opponents, even more to stand up to your friends."
The Profile in Courage Award, named for a book Mr Kennedy published in 1957 before he became president, honours public officials who take principled stands despite the potential political or personal consequences.
JFK’s daughter Caroline Kennedy, who along with his grandson Jack Schlossberg presented the award, said Mr Pence’s actions that day were a reminder that you cannot take democracy for granted.
The award recognises Mr Pence “for putting his life and career on the line to ensure the constitutional transfer of presidential power on Jan 6, 2021,” the JFK Library Foundation said.
“To forge a future together, we have to find common ground,” Mr Pence said.
“I hope in some small way my presence here tonight is a reminder that whatever differences we may have as Americans, the Constitution is the common ground on which we stand. It’s what binds us across time and generations… It’s what makes us one people.”
Mr Varadkar is currently in Boston after taking up a post as a guest lecturer in Harvard University.
Mr Varadkar and Mr Barrett previously met Mr Pence during the St Patrick's Day trip to Washington in 2019, when Mr Varadkar was taoiseach.
There was some uncertainty prior to the meeting as Mr Pence, a conservative Christian, had been criticised for his views on LGBT issues and his opposition to same-sex marriage.
After Mr Pence had welcomed the couple, Mr Varadkar used his speech to support the LGBT community in the US.
I stand here this morning as leader of my country, flawed and human, but judged by my political actions and not by my sexual orientation or my skin tone or my gender or religious beliefs.
"And I don't believe my country is the only one in the world where this story is possible. It is found in every country where freedom and liberty are cherished. We are, after all, all God's children."
Mr Pence subsequently praised Mr Varadkar for his "inspiring words".
