Politics

Report: Witnesses Said Trump Approved of Jan. 6 Chants to 'Hang Mike Pence'

Published MAY 26 2022

#Politics

Report: Witnesses Said Trump Approved of Jan. 6 Chants to 'Hang Mike Pence'

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Image credit: AFP/Getty Images [via USA Today]

The Facts

Two witnesses have testified to the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that former Pres. Trump reacted approvingly to the rioters chanting "Hang Mike Pence," according to The New York Times.
nytimes
At least one witness recalled White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows commenting on Trump complaining that then-VP Pence was being taken to a safe area. Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Meadows, confirmed that story when asked by the committee.
nytimes
Trump allegedly also made a remark about Pence deserving to be hanged, but his tone was unclear.
USA Today
In response to the Times report, Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich criticized the committee's "vague leaks and anonymous testimony" as part of a "Democrat smear campaign."
USA Today
The Jan. 6 committee is prepared to hold eight public hearings beginning June 9.
CNN

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

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CRIT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Democratic narrative

This is damning for the former president. He didn't just rile up the crowd but also directed them to pressure Pence to delay Congress' count of electors. This could also be why he didn't do more to stop the riot, and might explain why Meadows won't cooperate with the committee.

wapo

Republican narrative

Rather than trying to solve real problems like soaring gas prices or rocketing inflation, Democrats insist on focusing on the past and Donald Trump. Their smear campaign against the former president is simply a midterm strategy and a desperate attempt to distract from Biden's approval ratings being in the tank.

Townhall