Former Vice President Mike Pence's debut at the Iowa State Fair Thursday turned dramatic when an audience member asked him why he was a traitor for not helping former President Donald Trump overturn the 2020 election. 

Pence appeared on day No. 1 of the 10-day event in Des Moines with wife Karen at his side, taking the stage of Des Moines Register's Political Soapbox late Thursday afternoon. 

He attracted two prominent hecklers - one MAGA fan who yelled, 'You made a big mistake Mike!' and a Jewish liberal who briefly held up a sign behind the ex vice president that read: 'Make Abortion Kosher Again.' 

But it was an audience member's question that turned heads: 'Why did you commit treason on January 6 and not stand by President Trump?' the man asked.

That prompted anger from another member of the crowd who yelled, 'I'm a veteran buddy, shut your mouth.' 

Pence took the question in stride. 

'That's a fair question. Look, come on people, that's why I came,' Pence said. 

He pointed to the oath he took to the Constitution the day he and Trump were inaugurated on January 20, 2017. 

'Now I know you might have a different impression about what my duties and responsibilities were on January 6 and I'm happy to talk to you about them,' he said, encouraging the man to read the founding document.