Donald Trump blames Mike Pence in tweet for refusing to accept or reject votes

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday afternoon that the National Guard was being deployed “along with other federal protective services.”

The lockdowns and evacuations came as both chambers of Congress debated Republicans’ objections to Arizona’s electoral results. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at the start of the debate, forcefully rebuked efforts from members of his own party to overturn Biden’s win.

“The voters have spoken,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “If we overrule them, we damage our republic forever.”

Just before the proceedings began, Trump had hosted a rally outside the White House where he repeatedly, and falsely, claimed the election had been stolen from him. The president also pressured Pence to reject states’ slates of electors.

McConnell in his remarks explicitly rejected claims that Trump’s loss to Biden was due to massive fraud, and called out his colleagues in Congress who have vowed to lodge objections to the electoral results.

“Nothing before us proves illegality anywhere near the massive scale, the massive scale that would have tipped the entire election,” McConnell said. “If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral. We would never see the whole nation accept an election again.”

“It would be unfair and wrong to disenfranchise American voters and overrule the courts and the states on this extraordinarily thin basis. And I will not pretend such a vote would be a harmless protest gesture while relying on others to do the right thing,” McConnell said.

“I will vote to respect the people’s decision and defend our system of government as we know it.”

Those comments came as a joint session of Congress convened with the intention of counting and confirming the results of the Electoral College. Republicans were expected to object to other states as their electoral vote tallies are announced.

Shortly before the joint session of Congress began at 1 p.m. ET, Pence rejected Trump’s call for the vice president to unilaterally overturn the Electoral College vote, saying in a letter that he did not believe he had the authority to do so.

In a tweet Wednesday afternoon, Trump lashed out at Pence, saying that he “didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.”

But as the chaos escalated, Trump tweeted a follow-up message: “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”

And later, he asked “for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful.”

With Democrat Biden’s 306 electoral votes — 36 more than needed — the process normally would be a formality. But this year, it may take days because of the doomed effort by Trump to overturn his defeat.

Pence’s role, which involves reading the vote tallies as they are unsealed and asking Congress if there are any objections, is traditionally a ceremonial one.

But in the lead-up to the joint session of Congress, Trump publicly heaped pressure on Pence to intervene, falsely claiming the vice president has the power to reject electoral votes that were cast weeks earlier by electors confirmed by their states’ governors.

“All Mike Pence has to do is send [the electoral votes] back to the States, AND WE WIN,” Trump tweeted. “Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!”

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[Dandandan]

Man, I feel sorry for the guy who has to mop and wax those floors.

[simplysarell]

Wow...this is a moment that will go down in history, and I pray that it's never repeated. Whatever side you're on can we all agree that going on Twitter and playing the blame game is probably something you shouldn't do as President at the moment?

[lolalee]

Lock him up!
The failed one term POSpotus!

[joeblack]

So where are our generals who swore to protect the constitution?

[Naturegirl]

I still have a really hard time believing that I witnessed something this awful in my life.

[rudytorres]

How soon will trump be arrested after he’s done?!?

[mhaze]

Mike Pence is being smart, he doesn't want to go to jail with Trump.

[arnelbiltz]

"Always remember...Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots." Trump is spreading rumors like always.

[TS-yney]

The will of the people? The will of the people was to RE-elect Trump!!

[EC-crwt]

What a shame people climbing the walls ??? When we all know as a pride American the only ones who climbing walls are our neighbors from the south if you know what I mean 🧑🏽‍🌾

[missg]

Sadly I'm sure he is so proud of his supporters!

[ebrena]

How dare Trump to dump this on Pence!! Everything that Trump does he puts it onto someone else. I can just picture him as a manic undisciplined devious child. As he gets old he gets worse. He has always been like this blaming others. He has been just a terrible out of hand president he does not deserve this title. I hope the people who are after him don't waste time ands get him into the courts and prisoned for what he has done to the country and people

[esmeralda.g]

Civil war is about to take place 😭 scary stuff .

[MandyRhodd]

Continuous prayers for protection and justice 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 for American people

[davidjones]

Like Trump would really tell his thugs to stand down

[faithhopelove]

January 20th can't get here soon enough. So embarrassing, the world is watching while the trailer park descends on the Capital.

[edwardsmith]

Hey pence you suppose to go
down with the ship with your
commander he needs you.

[helenpomerleau]

They need to go in WH arrest trump for treason

[lmss]

So glad to be canadian...this is madness

[miketabb]

If you don't agree with this mad man, then he kicks you under the bus, even his own V.P.