Washington, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump’s lawyer has recently shifted blame onto Vice President Mike Pence for the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6th. The lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that Pence’s refusal to reject the Electoral College results during the certification process motivated the violent mob and fueled their desire to harm Pence.
According to the lawyer, Pence’s actions led to the chant of “Hang Mike Pence” among the rioters. The lawyer suggested that if Pence had followed Trump’s advice to reject the election results, the situation might have played out differently. These claims come as tensions continue to rise between Trump and his former vice president following the insurrection.
The lawyer’s statement highlights the deep divide within the Republican Party. While some Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump and holding him responsible for the Capitol attack, others, such as this lawyer, are attempting to shift the blame onto Pence. However, several prominent GOP figures, including Senator Mitt Romney, have publicly criticized this attempt to deflect responsibility.
Critics argue that Trump and his legal team are merely trying to evade accountability for the events of January 6th. They emphasize that Trump’s repeated false claims about election fraud and his inflammatory rhetoric leading up to the attack bear significant responsibility. Moreover, they stress that Pence had no constitutional authority to reject the Electoral College results, regardless of his personal beliefs or Trump’s expectations.
The lawyer’s accusation against Pence comes as the former vice president faces increasing pressure from within his own party. Pence has been criticized by Trump loyalists for not doing more to overturn the election results, despite lacking the power to do so. However, many Republicans also credit Pence for his role in upholding the Constitution and refusing to succumb to Trump’s demands.
As the investigation into the Capitol attack continues, it remains uncertain how these shifting narratives will impact the future of the Republican Party. The divergent views on Trump’s role in inciting the violence, as well as the attempted blame on Pence, highlight the ideological struggle within the GOP and the challenges it faces in the aftermath of the insurrection.