‘Too honest’ Pence took notes in administration’s final days

Former VP Mike Pence’s detailed notes of conversations with his then boss and top aides before the US Capitol riot could be crucial evidence in Trump election case.

Former US vice-president Mike Pence was never part of Trump’s inner circle at the White House, but remained loyal to him during his four years in office. Picture: AFP

Mike Pence could become the star witness in the prosecution of Donald Trump because the former vice-president took detailed notes of conversations with key White House figures.

Pence, who is also seeking the Republican presidential nomination next year, maintained a contemporaneous record of discussions with Trump and his top aides as the tumultuous events that led to the violence at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, unfolded.

Among the discussions logged in the 45-page indictment published on Tuesday by the special prosecutor Jack Smith was a January 1, 2021, meeting between Pence and Trump.

During the meeting, Pence said he would not back a scheme that involved him refusing to certify President Biden’s electoral victory, one of his constitutional duties as vice-president.

Trump is said to have “berated” his deputy, describing him as “too honest”. Within hours, Trump tweeted to remind supporters of the big rally that was planned for January 6, including the tagline “StopTheSteal!”

During the storming of the Capitol five people were killed and Trump supporters held up banners calling for Pence to be hanged.

Supporters of then US President Donald Trump, enter the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 6 2021. Picture: AFP

Pence was never part of Trump’s inner circle at the White House, but remained loyal to him during his four years in office. He fought the Department of Justice to avoid giving evidence to the grand jury as part of Smith’s investigation into alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, but was eventually compelled to do so.

Last month, before Trump, 77, was charged, Pence said he did not think Trump had broken any laws in relation to January 6.

One of Smith’s central claims is that Trump, using concocted evidence, tried to persuade and pressure Pence not to certify Biden’s election win.

Trump’s efforts extended to Christmas Day 2020 when Pence called him to offer festive goodwill. The discussion switched to the issue of the election and a demand from Trump for him to reject the electoral college vote.

“You know I don’t think I have the authority to change the outcome,” Pence, 64, said, according to the indictment. After it was unsealed on Tuesday, he said: “Anyone who puts himself over the constitution should never be president of the United States.”

In a private call with donors on Wednesday, Pence reportedly said: “I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.”

President Trump was wrong in saying that I had some right to overturn the election. My duty on January wasn’t a belief, it’s the law and the history of this Country. pic.twitter.com/4O2NDs81Cf

— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) August 3, 2023

Trump mocked him in response. “I feel badly for Mike Pence, who is attracting no crowds, enthusiasm, or loyalty from people who, as a member of the Trump administration, should be loving him,” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Pence’s campaign responded to Trump’s indictment by announcing merchandise bearing the words: “Too Honest”.

NEW: Mike Pence selling “TOO HONEST” merch in wake of Trump indictment

According to the Special Counsel, Trump called Pence on New Year’s Day in 2021 and “berated him.” When Pence said he didn’t have the authority to return or reject votes, Trump told him, “You’re too honest.” pic.twitter.com/srGkmJWuMG

— Libby Cathey (@libbycathey) August 3, 2023

The first Republican presidential debate will take place on August 23. Pence is scrambling to qualify. He has yet to meet the minimum number of 40,000 individual donors set by the Republican national committee. He told backers on Wednesday that he expects to hit that mark in the next seven to ten days.

The Times