President Donald Trump pressures VP Mike Pence to reject electoral votes

Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday refused President Donald Trump’s demand that he try to block confirmation by Congress of Joe Biden’s election as the next president of the United States.

Pence said in a letter that he did not believe, as Trump has claimed, that a vice president has the unilateral power to reject Electoral College votes for a candidate.

His dramatic break from Trump came minutes before the vice president began presiding over a joint session of Congress, which is meeting to declare Biden the victor.

“It is my considered judgement that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not,” Pence said in a three-page letter addressed to “Dear Colleague.”

“Given the controversy surrounding this year’s election, some approach this year’s quadrennial tradition with great expectation, and others with dismissive disdain,” Pence wrote.

“Some believe that as Vice President, I should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally. Others believe that electoral votes should never be challenged in a Joint Session of Congress. After a careful study of our Constitution, our laws, and our history, I believe neither view is correct.”

As Pence released his statement, Trump was speaking at a rally outside of the White House, where he reiterated his call that the vice president undo Biden’s election. Trump and his allies claim, without evidence, that he and Pence lost to Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris because of widespread ballot fraud in a handful of states that gave Biden his margin of victory.

“Mike Pence, I hope you’re gonna stand up for the good of our Constitution and for the good of our country, and if you’re not I’m gonna be very disappointed in you, I will tell you right now,” Trump said at the rally.

“I’m not hearing good stories.”

Multiple courts have rejected Trump’s claims of fraud and election irregularities.

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the vice president’s letter.

Shortly after Pence gaveled in the joint session of Congress, several Republicans objected to Arizona’s Electoral College results in Biden’s favor, triggering a period of debate.

GOP lawmakers are expected to object to the election results of several other states, but those efforts are also expected to merely delay the confirmation that Biden won the presidency, not block it.

Turn to CNBC TV for the latest stock market news and analysis. From market futures to live price updates CNBC is the leader in business news worldwide.


Connect with CNBC News Online

#CNBC
#CNBCTV

[dathoang]

This say a lot about our president. That he didn't know our constitution.

[aaliyah]

Mike was like "I ain't about to spend another four years here. I hate it here!"🤣

[Blake]

Pressure to do the Right Thing?
Not to turn his back on America

[JesusSavesFromSin]

Jesus Christ saves from sin.
Romans 3: 23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Hebrews 9: 27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Isaiah 64: 6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Revelation 21: 8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Romans 5: 8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3: 16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 14: 6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 10: 9-10.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus said John 5: 24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1John 5: 10-13
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Ephesians 2: 8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 8: 1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 15: 3-4
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5: 21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

[WiserFOREVER]

Ultimately Trump apparently never anticipate Mike Pence's strength of character & conviction to what he believes in! In retrospect, it would have been a challenge for anyone else Trump might have chosen as a running mate! Putting up with Trump's BS over a 4 year period of time is easily seen as extremely stressful! There's no question that Pence will be relieved to finally be done with this lunatic!

[Jeff-khow]

It’s January 6 and the year literally just started and trump is causing problems already like wtf like can we just begin the year in peace

[dianevessels]

Seeing Vice President Pence at President Biden’s swearing in I was impressed with his integrity.

[richinoable]

Rats, when cornered on a sinking ship, will devour one another in their desperation to avoid drowning.

[clintivy]

I’d go ahead and guess that the people talking might not know what they’re talking about necessarily?

[thed]

Looks like Batman is going to have to find himself a new Robin.

[bobthegamer]

Can’t wait until the mango Mussolini is gone 🤦‍♂️

[MarcusAurelius]

Wait, is this how the last civil war started? I can't remember...

[shanebryan]

Stand with our great President Trump!!! Invoke your balls!!!!

[anneheedkvile]

Mike Pence is a candidate of the best dreems ever for the precidentcy✌️💞

[LQQK]

Judas got 30 silver coins. Mike Pence received one gold coin and he quietly put it in his pocket.

[kevnson]

Pence was one of Indiana's worst governors ever and now his encore performance is no less a disappointment. Indiana was glad to be rid of him and now he will not be welcome anywhere in Indiana. He will be called out if he shows up.

[scottstevens]

I respect the heck out of Mike Pence well done standing your ground against that 74 year old baby!

[bettiegiles]

SHEPARD SMITH, YOU WILL GET YOURS, YOUR CROOKED

[jtwsince]

GO GA!!! I’ve sharpened all the forks in my house and have my tinfoil hat on. The grand finale of the demolition derby has begun. GOD Bess the USA, especially when it sneezes

[justfriendsg]

Desperation at its finest to keep him in power.