Former Vice President Mike Pence's actions leading up to and during the 2020 election certification process have come under scrutiny in a recent court filing by special counsel Jack Smith. The 165-page document provides a comprehensive account of the events surrounding the US Capitol riot and the strained relationship between Pence and former President Donald Trump.
The filing delves into various interactions between Trump and Pence, highlighting conversations where Pence attempted to console Trump and encourage him to accept his electoral defeat. Despite Pence's efforts to persuade Trump to acknowledge the election results, Trump continued to pressure Pence to overturn the certification.
According to prosecutors, Trump's escalating demands culminated in a series of confrontations with Pence, including a phone call on January 1 where Trump berated Pence for not supporting efforts to challenge the election results. On January 5, Trump reportedly threatened to publicly criticize Pence if he did not comply with his demands.
As tensions mounted, Trump allegedly tried to pressure Pence once more on the morning of January 6, just before delivering a speech at the Ellipse. When Pence once again refused to overturn the election results, Trump became enraged and incited his supporters to storm the Capitol in a last-ditch effort to prevent Biden's certification as president.
During the chaos at the Capitol, Pence was moved to a secure location for his safety. Despite being informed of Pence's situation, Trump reportedly showed indifference, responding with a callous 'So what?' when told about Pence's security concerns.
Prosecutors argue that Trump's actions on January 6, including a tweet criticizing Pence for not joining the conspiracy to overturn the election results, were driven by his desperation to retain power rather than uphold the rule of law. The tweet further fueled the anger of Trump's supporters, leading to chants of 'Hang Mike Pence!' and threats against the former vice president.
The court filing paints a damning picture of Trump's conduct and his attempts to manipulate Pence in a bid to subvert the democratic process. As the legal proceedings unfold, the role of Pence in the events leading up to the Capitol riot remains a focal point in the investigation.
