Media Attention Turns To Mike Pence Following Trump Statements on Election Confirmation

Vice President Mike Pence has come under increased political pressure and media scrutiny following statements made by President Donald Trump just one day before Congress meets to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. At a Monday rally in Georgia, Trump said, “I hope that Mike Pence comes through for us, I have to tell you…Of course, if he doesn’t come through, I won’t like him quite as much.” On Tuesday, Trump falsely claimed on Twitter that “the Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors”; this power doesn't fall to the vice president, but rather to state lawmakers, who must submit a written objection. The White House confirmed on Tuesday that while a statement by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) seemed to imply otherwise, Pence would preside over the confirmation vote on Wednesday. Coverage came mostly from left- and center-rated outlets and tended to describe Trump as “pressuring” Pence. Coverage in right-rated outlets tended to come from outlets that had previously published opinions casting Trump in a negative light.