SECONDNEXUS
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Even after experts and media outlets called the 2020 election for now-President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump insisted that the results would be overturned, after widespread non-existent fraud was revealed.
After courts repeatedly denied the Trump campaign's attempts to overturn election results in swing states Trump lost, the former President's supporters looked to January 6—the day of a joint congressional session, overseen by then-Vice President Mike Pence, where Congress would acknowledge Biden's victory.
This joint session, which occurs after very election, had been little more than clerical in the past, and the Vice President's role a purely administrative one.
But Trump and other conservatives insisted that Pence had the authority to unilaterally throw out electoral votes if there were objections. Even more absurdly, some said Pence could choose "alternate" Republican electors to cast electoral votes in swing states, even though these states went blue and these so-called electors had no legitimacy.
It was a mess.
When Pence didn't acquiesce to Trump's demands to exercise powers unavailable to him, Trump supporters were livid. Those who eventually stormed the Capitol that day chanted to "Hang Mike Pence," and even erected a gallows outside.
Now, Pence is on a speaking tour across the country—the precursor of a presumed 2024 election bid.
At a stop in Simi Valley, California, Pence doubled down on his decision to certify the election, and appeared to take a swipe at Trump.
Watch below.
Pence says it would have been unlawful for him to hand Trump a second term. Pence says he's proud of his actions on… https://t.co/LZ9wFKKN4R— Jan Wolfe (@Jan Wolfe) 1624586923.0
The former Vice President said:
"I will always be proud that we did our part on that tragic day to reconvene the Congress and fulfilled our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States. The truth is, there is almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president."
Conservatives who subscribed to Trump's election delusions weren't happy.
So @Mike_Pence is still whining about Jan. 6th like he's Nancy Pelosi or Chuck Schumer and that's all you really ne… https://t.co/pDEtvbXsJk— Emerald Robinson ✝️ (@Emerald Robinson ✝️) 1624627928.0
@Mike_Pence I had much respect for you as a Christian man,and our Vice President but after you failed not to certif… https://t.co/DmOEfbGrxM— Gibson4governor (@Gibson4governor) 1624625976.0
Pence is done. No courage or backbone to stand up for a legitimate recount and audit that some States were asking… https://t.co/yiJfst60Ac— MMorgan (@MMorgan) 1624626173.0
@Mike_Pence will go down as a traitor! “There is no idea more un-American than the notion 1 person could choose the… https://t.co/r9XMr57vYO— Trina Solis (@Trina Solis) 1624630113.0
What a lying pos Rino If he thinks he’s got a shot at a presidential run, it would only prove he’s a useful tool… https://t.co/VT9sW8MB9e— Patriotic Mom not a human/magnet hybrid (@Patriotic Mom not a human/magnet hybrid) 1624629925.0
@Mike_Pence You’re one of them. A Traitor to The Constitution.— DsGi #UsurperBiden ✝️🇺🇸👠 (@DsGi #UsurperBiden ✝️🇺🇸👠) 1624639952.0
The responses from critics of the Trump administration weren't kind either.
Covering pence incrementally, forgetting the context of his silence, and his complicity...is a mistake. The truth i… https://t.co/MjuF5KkSMf— Christopher C. Cuomo (@Christopher C. Cuomo) 1624615523.0
Too little too late https://t.co/tambkEQR07— Jessica Cammarano (@Jessica Cammarano) 1624631099.0
Pence being truthful…checks notes…six months later? So brave. So strong. https://t.co/NXHxm6fcBI— Melissa 💉 (@Melissa 💉) 1624626583.0
Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination—if he decides to run.