Mike Pence and the January 6 Capitol Attack: A Legal and Political Connection

On January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence was at the center of a historic and violent event when a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol during the certification of the 2020 Electoral College results. This connection between Pence and the Capitol attack is rooted in his constitutional role as president of the Senate, tasked with overseeing the certification process, and the intense pressure he faced to alter the outcome of the election. The events of that day, verified through extensive documentation, congressional investigations, and legal proceedings, highlight Pence’s pivotal role in upholding democratic processes amid significant personal risk.

Timeline and Nature of the Connection

In the weeks leading up to January 6, Pence was pressured by Trump and legal advisor John Eastman to reject certified Electoral College votes from certain states during the congressional certification. This pressure stemmed from false claims of widespread election fraud, a narrative central to what has been termed "The Big Lie." Pence, after consulting constitutional scholars and former Vice President Dan Quayle, concluded that he lacked the authority to unilaterally reject electors. On the day of the attack, Pence was inside the Capitol when the mob breached the building, some chanting "Hang Mike Pence" in response to his refusal to comply with Trump’s demands. Secret Service agents evacuated Pence to a secure location within the Capitol complex, though he refused to leave the premises entirely. Despite the violence and threats, Pence returned to the Senate chamber that evening and certified Joe Biden’s victory early on January 7, 2021.

Evidence and Significance to The Big Lie

The connection between Pence and the January 6 Capitol Attack is supported by verified accounts from multiple sources, including Pence’s own statements, congressional testimony, and video footage of the mob’s actions. The House Select Committee investigating the attack documented the direct threats against Pence, including the construction of a makeshift gallows outside the Capitol. Pence later publicly stated that Trump was "wrong" to assert that he had the power to overturn the election, underscoring a rift between the two over the false narrative of election fraud. This relationship is significant to The Big Lie because Pence’s refusal to acquiesce to unfounded claims of fraud directly countered efforts to undermine the 2020 election results. His actions on January 6, amidst personal danger, became a focal point in legal and political discussions about accountability for the attack, with over 1,200 individuals charged with federal crimes related to the event. Furthermore, Pence’s role illustrates the tension between constitutional duty and political pressure, a key theme in ongoing prosecutions and investigations tied to the Capitol attack and the broader narrative of election denialism.