A new book by ABC News political correspondent Jonathan Karl reveals that Donald Trump told his vice-president, Mike Pence, he would go down in history as a 'wimp' if he certified Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. The excerpt, published on Sunday, cites Pence's notes from the 6 January 2021 phone call.
According to 'Retribution', Trump said to Pence: 'If you do that, I made a big mistake five years ago. You'll go down as a wimp.' Pence's notes indicate he responded that both had taken 'an oath to support + defend the constitution' and that 'it takes courage to uphold the law'.
The call occurred as a mob of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, delaying certification and demanding Pence's hanging. Pence ultimately fulfilled his duty, certifying Biden's victory, despite Trump's pressure to overturn the result based on false claims of election fraud.
Federal prosecutors later considered Pence's notes as key evidence in charges against Trump for attempting to reverse his defeat, though the prosecution was derailed when Trump won the 2024 presidential race. In January 2025, Trump pardoned or commuted sentences for over 1,500 individuals linked to the Capitol attack.
