ECNETNews — In the lead-up to the January 6 Capitol riot, Donald Trump warned his then-Vice President, Mike Pence, that failing to act against the 2020 election certification would result in public scorn and disdain directed at him.
The New Year’s Day conversation was just one instance of Trump pushing Pence to help overturn the election results. Dubbed “Operation Pence Card,” this initiative involved persistent pressure on Pence to assist in Trump’s attempts to maintain power following a lost election.
During this call, Trump criticized Pence’s integrity, insisting he was “too honest.”
Following their discussion, Trump publicly called upon his supporters to attend the “BIG Protest Rally” in Washington, which escalated into the insurrection on January 6, 2021.
New revelations from special counsel Jack Smith’s recent court filing reveal the extent of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. As Trump prepares to challenge the results of the upcoming election, these exchanges shed light on the alarming tactics employed during that turbulent period.
Pence has since distanced himself from Trump and has not endorsed Trump’s bid for a return to the presidency. Trump and his current running mate, JD Vance, continue to question the legitimacy of the 2020 election that resulted in Joe Biden’s victory.
In a recent debate, Vance notably sidestepped questions about accepting the last election’s results, prompting Democratic nominee Tim Walz to remark, “That’s why Mike Pence isn’t on this stage.”
Much of the newly revealed filing chronicles the chaotic aftermath of the November election, during which Trump, alongside various allies, sought to remain in power even after acknowledging defeat. Facing criminal charges related to his actions in this conspiracy, Trump has dismissed the filing as “election interference” and aimed to have the case thrown out.
In a conversation shortly after the election, Trump instructed Pence to investigate allegations of voter fraud and expressed expectations to mount legal challenges.
“Look at all of it, let me know what you think,” Pence recounted from their November 4 phone call, alluding to Trump’s insistence to pursue the matter in court.
As Biden was projected as the winner, Pence attempted to encourage Trump by highlighting his party’s revitalization during their tenure together.
“You took a dying party and gave it a new lease on life,” Pence told Trump.
As time progressed, Trump’s campaign team reported dire prospects about their election challenges, prompting Pence to gently advocate for acknowledging the lawful results, despite their loss.
On November 12, Pence advised Trump to hold off on conceding, though he urged recognition that the process was concluding.
At a private lunch four days later, Pence posited that Trump should accept defeat and plan for a comeback in 2024. Trump’s response indicated hesitation as he remarked, “2024 is so far off.”
By December, Trump began contemplating Congress’s role in the certification process.
During a December 5 call, Trump first hinted to Pence about potentially challenging the election results in the House of Representatives.
This marked the start of a pressing campaign pressuring Pence, ultimately raising alarms about his safety. Some of these events are documented in Pence’s own reflection on the experience.
As Trump’s team faced repeated legal setbacks, they devised a controversial plan involving alternate electors based on strategies from various legal advisors.
They attempted to mislead Pence about his powers during the electoral certification process, falsely asserting that he could select electors or return results to the states for reconsideration, according to prosecutors.
Internal comments revealed that Trump’s staff regarded this scheme as implausible and dismissed the organizers as unrealistic figures.
In the days leading up to the insurrection, Trump continued to insist on the idea of the January 6 rally to rally his supporters.
During a lunch meeting on December 21, Pence advised Trump to view their situation as a temporary setback.
Trump remained adamant, escalating his public and private pressure tactics. On Christmas Day, Trump suggested that Pence had the authority to influence the certification process.
As January 6 approached, escalating urgency defined Trump’s behavior. During a New Year’s call, he pressed Pence to take decisive action, while also reaching out to state officials to contest election results.
Despite continued pressure, Pence maintained his position, even as Trump communicated threats to publicly discredit him.
In private discussions leading up to the January 6 rally, Trump reiterated his expectation for Pence to act decisively. When Pence reiterated his resistance, Trump reacted with anger and altered his upcoming speech to reflect his discontent.
This culminated in Trump directing an enraged crowd of supporters toward the Capitol during the insurrection.
