Mike Pence Stands Down, Does Not Block Joe Biden’s Swing State Electors at Joint Session of Congress

Mike Pence did not prevent Joe Biden’s swing state electors from being confirmed in a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday, all but sealing an election victory for Joe Biden and defeat for President Donald Trump.

A statement written by the vice president and dated January 6 expressed his intention to do so.

“It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not,” Pence said.

Pence noted that he shared “the concerns of millions of Americans about the integrity of this election” and would ensure that “these concerns receive a fair and open hearing.” But ultimately he did not pull the trigger in the way his boss and millions of voters hoped he would. More than once Trump said that he would be “very disappointed” if Pence stood down.

In a statement released last night Trump called Mike Pence’s alleged comments reported by the New York Times “fake news.” But even if the president is right, the report still hinted at Pence’s intention to not prevent Biden’s electors from being confirmed, and so one should not be surprised to see this development.

The entire statement can be read below: