Donald Trump and Mike Pence in April 2020.Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty
Desperately grasping for ways to reverse the 2020 election results, President Donald Trump told supporters in Georgia on Monday night that he’s counting on Vice President Mike Pence to help keep him in power.
Though Trump, 74, didn’t specify what he wants Pence to do, the president placed public pressure on the vice president ahead of a congressional meeting Wednesday where lawmakers are scheduled to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory.
“I hope that Mike Pence comes through for us, I have to tell you,” TrumpsaidMonday, speaking at a rally in Dalton, Georgia, before two runoff elections Tuesday that will determine the Senate’s majority.
“I hope that our great vice president — our great vice president — comes through for us,” Trump added. “He’s a great guy. Of course, if he doesn’t come through, I won’t like him quite as much.”
Although Trump appeared to be riffing in front of the live audience — pausing to add, “Nah, Mike is a great guy” — the public pressure put on the vice president comes as the president continues to reject the 2020 presidential election results and push for the outcome to be overturned in his favor.
Pence, 61, will preside over the Wednesday meeting to ratify the Electoral College vote. The vice president will then be tasked with announcing Biden, 78, as the next president on the Senate floor.
Vice President Mike Pence looks on as President Donald Trump speaks to the media on April 6 at the White House.Vice President Mike Pence (left) and President Donald Trump during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing in April
On Monday, Trump signaled he incorrectly believes Pence holds the power to overturn the results himself as the one overseeing Wednesday’s ratification process. Trump said the vice president will “have a lot to say about it” and that “he’s going to call it straight.” On Tuesday, Trumpreiteratedhis incorrect understanding of Pence’s role on Twitter.
Pence has avoided public disagreements with Trump throughout their time in office and has also mostly refrained from commenting on his role overseeing Wednesday’s tally, which comes about two weeks before their White House term ends.
“The vice president welcomes the efforts of members of the House and Senate to use the authority they have under the law to raise objections and bring forward evidence before the Congress and the American people on Jan. 6,” Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, said in a statement over the weekend, The Hillreports.
Speaking at a separate rally in Georgia on Monday, Pence appeared to carefully avoid committing his loyalty to either Trump or Biden, vowing only to hear out all sides.
“I know we all got our doubts about the last election, and I want to assure you, I share the concerns of millions of Americans about voting irregularities,” Pence said. “I promise you, come this Wednesday, we’ll have our day in Congress. We’ll hear the objections. We’ll hear the evidence.”
source: people.com
