Trump tells supporters that Pence alone can secure a second Trump term
Reporting and findings
- documented
At 1:00 a.m. and 8:17 a.m., Trump publicly asserted that Pence could send electoral votes back to states and thereby make Trump win. The claim conflicted with advice Trump had received from Pence, Pence's counsel, White House counsel, and Eastman's own concessions. The posts converted a rejected legal theory into a loyalty demand directed at the sitting vice president.
- 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: 1:00 a.m. and 8:17 a.m. posts and prior legal notice
Summary and current status
Early-morning posts demanded that Pence send certified votes back and framed compliance as 'extreme courage.'
Demand rejected as outside the vice president's authority
People and organizations
- 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