Trump asked Pence, “If it gives you the power, why would you oppose [the suit]?” Pence writes, “I told him, as I had many times, that I didn’t believe I possessed that power under the Constitution.” Trump replied, “You’re too honest. Hundreds of thousands are gonna hate your guts. . . . People are gonna think you’re stupid.” The suit and the following appeal were both rejected.
Trump continued to pressure Pence, telling the former vice president that if he did not confirm Trump as president, Pence would be failing the country, “unpopular,” and viewed as a “wimp.” According to Pence, in the days leading up to Jan. 6, Trump attorney John Eastman admitted to Pence—despite telling Trump a different story—that the vice president did not have the authority to overturn the election results.
As members of Congress met to count electoral college votes on Jan. 6, a group of people marched around the Washington D.C. Capitol praying and blowing shofars while a rally in support of Trump took place concurrently. During the rally, Trump said, “Mike Pence, I hope you’re going to stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country. And if you’re not, I’m going to be very disappointed in you.”
Violence later ensued as protestors marched toward the Capitol building and forced their way into it. Some erected a gallows outside and chanted, “Hang Mike Pence.” Images of that day depict the mixing of political and religious imagery.
Pence describes what it was like to be in the Capitol building, oblivious to the danger brewing outside. Once it became clear that he and Congress members were in imminent danger, the vice president resisted his security detail’s attempts to evacuate him from the building. He and his team eventually moved to the Capitol’s loading dock and garage, staying apprised of the situation from that location. It was there Pence learned of Trump’s tweet stating, “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution…USA demands the truth!”
In a recent interview with ABC’s David Muir, Pence said this tweet “angered” him. “I mean, the president’s words were reckless,” he said. “It was clear he decided to be part of the problem.” The president later issued calls for peace, while also telling the rioters, “I know your pain, I know your hurt.” Congress members were able to reconvene later that day, announcing in the early morning hours of Jan. 7 that Joe Biden had won the 2020 presidential election.
On Jan. 11, Pence met with Trump, who asked after Pence’s wife, Karen, and his daughter, Charlotte. “I replied tersely that we were fine,” said Pence, “and told him that they had been at the Capitol on Jan. 6. He responded with a hint of regret, ‘I just learned that.’” When Trump asked if Pence had been scared, Pence replied, “No. I was angry. You and I had our differences that day, Mr. President, and seeing those people tearing up the Capitol infuriated me.”
On Jan. 13, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for the second time in his presidency, charging him with “incitement of insurrection.” That evening, Trump issued a statement, saying, “I want to be very clear. I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week. Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country, and no place in our movement.” Trump would eventually be acquitted.
When Trump met with Pence on Jan. 14, the former vice president tried to encourage Trump by saying he would be praying for him. Even though Trump responded, “Don’t bother,” as the two said their goodbyes, Pence reiterated, “I’m…never gonna stop praying for you.” Trump replied, “That’s right—don’t ever change.”