Trump falsely says Pence agrees he can change the election outcome
The statement contradicted Pence's private position and increased pressure hours before the joint session.
Entities and roles
- Donald J. TrumpDonald Trump network root
- Mike PenceTrump vice president and 2020 running mate
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumpvice president and running mateMike Pence
Claims and evidence
- factdocumented
After reporting revealed Pence had told Trump he lacked authority to block certification, Trump dictated a statement asserting that he and Pence were in 'total agreement' that Pence could act. The January 6 committee found the statement false. It publicly misrepresented the vice president's position and primed supporters to treat a lawful refusal as betrayal.
- United States Government Publishing Office: Final Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States CapitolExecutive Summary page 35: New York Times report, dictated statement, and committee finding that it was false
- TIME: From taunts and lies to an angry mob: Jan. 6 panel details Trump's pressure campaign against PencePence's January 5 position, Trump-dictated total-agreement statement, and Short and Miller testimony