The NPR Politics Podcast "Illegal and Unconstitutional:" What We Learned From The Third Jan. 6 Hearing
Jun 16, 2022
The focus of the discussion centers around the intense pressure former Vice President Mike Pence faced from Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election. Legal experts reveal chilling threats to Pence's safety during the Capitol riots, exposing the dangers he encountered. The podcast delves into the profound implications of Trump's actions on American democracy, with insights from key witnesses close to the former president. The legal complexities surrounding the January 6th hearings are dissected, shedding light on an unprecedented challenge to the electoral process.
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Pence's Lack of Authority
- Trump's legal team sought justification for Pence to halt the electoral vote count.
- Pence's team and the broader legal community agreed he lacked this authority.
Historical Precedent
- Greg Jacob testified that no vice president in history had asserted the authority to reject or return electoral votes.
- This historical precedent further emphasized the illegality of Trump's demands.
Eastman's Discredited Theories
- John Eastman, a conservative lawyer, crafted the legal theories Trump used.
- Eastman's theories were widely discredited, even by his former mentor, Michael Luttig.