Pence tells Trump he lacks authority to block certification
In a tense private meeting, Vice President Mike Pence informed Trump that he did not have the constitutional authority to block the certification of the electoral votes. Trump dismissed this, reportedly telling Pence he would be a "wimp" if he didn't act, and continued to pressure him publicly and privately up until the moment the joint session began.
“wimp”
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThis private refusal becomes the trigger for Trump's public scapegoating of Pence on Jan. 6.
The Final Refusal On the eve of January 6, Pence told Trump directly that he could not and would not reject electoral votes. This rejection of the Eastman memo's unconstitutional scheme was the last institutional guardrail--and it nearly cost Pence his life. The Eastman Pressure Campaign John Eastman, working with Giuliani and the White House, had developed a memo claiming the Vice President could unilaterally reject electoral votes. Legal scholars across the political spectrum called this nonsense. Pence's refusal was constitutionally correct but represented betrayal to Trump. The Mob Response When Trump attacked Pence during his Ellipse speech and on Twitter, the mob chanted 'Hang Mike Pence.' Secret Service evacuated Pence as rioters came within 40 feet of him. Trump's response to learning this: 'Maybe our supporters have the right idea.' Pence's refusal made him a target.