Mike Pence

Mike Pence and The Big Lie: An Overview

Mike Pence, the 48th Vice President of the United States (2017–2021), played a pivotal role in the events surrounding the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, a central element of the narrative known as "The Big Lie"—false claims of widespread fraud in the election. As Vice President, Pence was tasked with presiding over the congressional certification of Electoral College votes on January 6, 2021. His refusal to reject certified electors, despite intense pressure from then-President Donald Trump and legal theorist John Eastman, positioned him as a key figure in the defense of constitutional norms during a moment of national crisis. Pence's actions and statements have since been widely documented and verified through public records, including his own letter to Congress outlining his constitutional role.

Biographical Context and Role in the Trump Administration

Mike Pence, born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana, served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana (2001–2013) and as the state's governor (2013–2017) before becoming Vice President under Donald Trump. As Vice President, Pence was often seen as a loyal supporter of Trump’s policies, though his tenure was marked by a commitment to evangelical Christian values and conservative principles. His role during the 2020 election certification, however, brought him into direct conflict with Trump. On January 6, 2021, Pence was responsible for overseeing the largely ceremonial process of counting Electoral College votes in Congress. Despite pressure to intervene, Pence concluded—after consulting constitutional scholars and former Vice President Dan Quayle—that he lacked the authority to reject electors or alter the outcome. He publicly affirmed this stance in a letter to Congress, stating his oath to uphold the Constitution.

Involvement in January 6 and Key Relationships

Pence’s involvement in the events of January 6, 2021, is well-documented. Trump publicly and privately urged Pence to reject certified Electoral College votes from key states, a move Pence deemed unconstitutional. Legal theorist John Eastman, a Trump ally, also directly pressured Pence to use fraudulent electors to overturn the results, a theory Pence’s counsel rejected. During the Capitol attack on January 6, Pence was inside the building as a violent mob breached security, with some rioters chanting "Hang Mike Pence." Evacuated by the Secret Service, Pence refused to leave the Capitol complex entirely and returned to certify Joe Biden’s victory later that evening. In subsequent statements, Pence declared that Trump was "wrong" to claim he had the power to overturn the election, further distancing himself from The Big Lie narrative.

Pence’s relationships with key figures underscore his significance in this context. His legal and political conflict with Trump highlighted a fracture within the administration, while his rejection of Eastman’s unfounded legal theories reinforced his commitment to constitutional limits. Additionally, his presence during the Capitol attack ties him directly to the violent fallout of election fraud claims, cementing his role as a target of extremist rhetoric on that day.