Topline
Former Vice President Mike Pence’s legal team was stunned about a statement former President Donald Trump put out the day before the January 6 riot, according to Pence’s chief of staff at the time, which falsely said Pence and Trump were in “total agreement” that Pence had the authority to block the certification of the 2020 election results.
Then-Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Pentagon on August 9, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia. … [+]
Key Facts
Trump on January 5, 2021, released a statement disputing a New York Times report stating Pence told him he lacked the power to overturn the election, claiming Pence agreed “the Vice President has the power to act.”
Former Pence chief of staff Marc Short testified to the January 6 committee that the statement was “categorically untrue,” saying Pence’s team was “shocked and disappointed” at Trump’s claim.
Short also said Pence told Trump “many times” before the January 6 riot that he did not have the power to overturn the election results.
Key Background
Trump continued pressuring Pence to block the election certification despite the vice president’s insisting he could not, with Trump telling a crowd of supporters at the Ellipse on January 6 that he would be “very disappointed” if Pence did not act. Many of those at the rally went on to storm the Capitol while chanting “hang Mike Pence!” Thursday’s hearing is the third from the January 6 committee this month, and is focused on Trump’s effort to get Pence to overturn the election results.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/06/16/jan-6-hearings-pence-team-shocked-and-disappointed-when-trump-claimed-vp-agreed-he-could-overturn-election/