Pence Defies Trump, Saying He Has No Power to Reverse Defeat

Congress meets Wednesday to certify Biden’s November victory
Trump made final plea to Pence in speech outside White House

Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi officiate a joint session of the House and Senate at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.Photographer: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Jordan Fabian and Josh Wingrove

January 6, 2021 at 6:03 PM UTC

Updated on

January 6, 2021 at 7:46 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Vice President Mike Pence said that he has no power to reverse Donald Trump’s re-election defeat, defying the president’s demands that he unilaterally reject Electoral College votes from contested states during a congressional session Wednesday.

The move sparked a swift rebuke from Trump, exposing an unprecedented rift in American leadership and helping fuel pro-Trump protests at the Capitol. Protesters broke through police lines into the Capitol, forcing security to place the legislative chambers under lockdown.