Soon after, hundreds of rioters at the Capitol began chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” on January 6, 2021, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows left the Oval Office dining room, entered his own office, and told his colleagues that President Donald J. Trump was complaining that the vice president was being accompanied by security.
Mr. Meadows, according to a report provided to the House committee investigating Jan. 6, told his colleagues that Mr. Trump had said something in the sense that, perhaps Mr. Pence should be hung.
It is unclear what tone was said to have been used by Mr. Trump. But the informed comment was further proof of the extreme rupture between the president and his vice president, and how Mr. Not only did Trump not take action to call off the rioters, but he seemed to identify with his feelings about Mr. Pence. —Who had been unsuccessfully pressured to block the certification of the results of the Electoral College that day — as a reflection of his own frustration at not being able to reverse his loss.
The story of Mr. Trump was initially provided to the House committee by at least one witness, according to two people briefed on his work, as the panel develops a chronology of what the president was doing during the riots.
Another witness, Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Mr. Meadows who was present in his office when he explained the statements of Mr. Trump was asked by the committee about the bill and confirmed it, according to people familiar with the panel’s work. It was not immediately clear how much detailed information Ms. Hutchinson. He has cooperated with the committee in three separate interviews after receiving a subpoena.
A lawyer for Mr. Meadows said he has “every reason to believe” that the account of what Mr. Meadows “is false.”
Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich criticized the committee’s work. “The vague leaks, the anonymous testimony and the intent to alter the evidence of this partisan committee show that it is only an extension of the Democratic discredit campaign that has been repeatedly exposed for being fabricated and dishonest. to say. “Americans are tired of Democratic lies and farces, but unfortunately that’s all they have to offer.”
Mr. Budowich did not address the substance of the information provided to the committee.
A lawyer for Ms. Hutchinson did not respond to a message asking for comments. A spokesman for the commission declined to comment.
Mr. Pence withstood the pressure of Mr. Pence for weeks. Trump and some of his allies to use their ceremonial role in overseeing Congressional certification of Jan. 6 voting to block or delay Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory. Although Mr. Pence and his advisers told them they did not believe the vice president had that power, Mr. Trump continued to exert pressure, both in private and in public, that morning.
Mr. Trump denounced Mr. Will’s unwillingness. He plans to accompany the effort during his demonstration at the Ellipse just before the certification of the Electoral College at the Capitol began.
“We want to be so respectful of everyone,” Trump said in a forceful speech in which he attacked several people and institutions for not cooperating with their wishes. “It simply came to our notice then. And Mike Pence will have to come out for us, and if he doesn’t, it will be a sad day for our country. Because you have sworn to uphold our Constitution. “
Shortly afterwards, supporters of Mr. Trump marched to the Capitol in his spirit. Some chanted “Hang Mike Pence!” as a gallows was installed outside the Capitol building. Mr. Pence, who had previously arrived at the Capitol, was taken to a safe place in an underground garage when the top management of both sides of Congress was evacuated.
Mr. Trump, watching television throughout the riot, spoke approvingly of these chants as he spoke to them with Mr. Meadows and possibly other aides, according to testimony heard by the committee.
Mr. Trump made clear his displeasure with Mr. Pence not only to his aides but to the public when he tweeted, at 2:24 p.m., as the mutineers swarmed the building, that “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do that. to have done to protect our country and our Constitution. “
The panel is trying to produce a report describing the events as part of Mr. Trump to stay in office, including how he provoked anger at his loss among his supporters and redirected him against Mr. Pence and members of Congress during what is usually a routine certification process.
The committee also testified that Mr. Meadows used the fireplace in his office to burn documents, according to two people who were informed of the panel’s questions. The committee has asked witnesses how Mr. Meadows managed the documents and records after the election.