Donald Trump told his vice-president Mike Pence that he would go down in history as a 'wimp' if he certified Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, according to a new book. The call took place on 6 January 2021, the day Trump supporters attacked the US Capitol.
The details come from an upcoming book titled Retribution by ABC News political correspondent Jonathan Karl. The book cites Pence's notes from the phone call, in which Trump purportedly tried to shame Pence into refusing to certify the election result.
According to the notes, Trump said: 'If you do that, I made a big mistake five years ago. You'll go down as a wimp.' Pence's notes show he responded that both had taken 'an oath to support + defend the constitution'. He added: 'It doesn't take courage to break the law. It takes courage to uphold the law.'
Pence ultimately certified Biden's victory despite Trump's wishes, stating he had no legal right to overturn the result. Later that day, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, some calling for Pence's hanging, and delayed the certification by several hours.
Federal authorities charged Trump with attempting to forcibly reverse the election outcome, but the prosecution was derailed after he won the 2024 presidential race. Pence's notes were considered key evidence. Trump later pardoned or commuted sentences for over 1,500 people linked to the Capitol attack.
