Pence, Trump attorney clash over what Trump told his VP ahead of Jan. 6, 2021

Donald Trump’s defense lawyer, John Lauro, asserted that the former President only asked Vice President Mike Pence to temporarily halt the certification of the 2020 election votes to allow states to investigate allegations of electoral fraud. He argued that Trump was within his First Amendment rights in making this request.

Mike Pence flatly rejected the account given by Trump’s attorney. He stated that Trump seemed to believe that Pence had the power to reject or return votes, and that Trump’s legal team told him directly to dismiss votes. Pence emphasized that he had no right to overturn the election.

Trump is facing charges that he sought to overturn the will of the voters and remain in office, even after widespread rejection of his claims of electoral fraud. The indictment chronicles how Trump and his allies lied about the results, pressured Pence and state officials, and culminated in the violent attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

Apart from the charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, Trump also faces charges related to falsifying business records concerning hush money payments to a porn actor, and improperly keeping classified documents at his resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump’s defense plans to request a trial location change to secure a more diverse jury, and Lauro, Trump’s lawyer, has said he would back televising the trial. However, he dismissed the notion that the case could conclude before the 2024 election. Judges have so far rejected motions to move other trials related to the January 6 riot out of Washington.

Prosecutors have requested a protective order to limit Trump’s ability to publicly disclose information about the case. This is considered “particularly important in this case” because Trump has posted on social media about witnesses, judges, attorneys, and others involved in legal matters against him. The decision on this matter will be made by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.