Trump tells Pence he can overturn election result, as he heaps pressure on VP to defy constitution

Pence told to ‘reject’ the Electoral College’s votes for Biden, despite constitutionally not being able to do so

Donald Trump appeared to warn Mike Pence against certifying the Electoral College’s vote for Joe Biden as president-elect, and instead encouraged him to object. 

Coming almost 24 hours before the vice president is due to preside over the largely ceremonial vote in Congress, the US president aimed directly at Mr Pence in a post to Twitter.

Daring the vice president to “reject” the votes being tallied for Mr Biden, who won November’s election, the US president wrote: "The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors".

Mr Pence, who has voiced his personal support for 13 Republican senators who plan on objecting during the joint session of Congress, is not expected to oppose. Nor is he constitutionally able to do so, according to the Associated Press.

As vice president, the Republican is constitutionally bound to confirm Mr Biden as the winner of the 2020 contest once both houses recall their tallies of the votes on Wednesday.

Still, he has increasingly come under pressure from Mr Trump and other Republicans to object to Mr Biden’s confirmation.

The US president on Monday night told crowds at a campaign rally in Georgia – where two pro-Trump senators are up against Democratic challengers in tight runoff elections – that Mr Pence would “call it straight”. 

“I hope Mike Pence comes through for us, I have to tell you,” said Mr Trump, who added that: “Of course, if he doesn’t come through, I won’t like him quite as much."

He went on to say that the vice president was “going to have a lot to say about it. And you know one thing with him, you’re going to get straight shots. He’s going to call it straight”.

Mr Pence, who himself campaigned in Georgia on Sunday night, was heckled by crowds who urged him to “Stop the steal!”

Thousands will march on Washington DC on Wednesday in a “Stop the Steal!" demonstration as Mr Pence presides over the joint session of Congress. 

The crowds, as well as president Trump, are alleging the presidential race was fraudulent, without any basis. 

Only lawmakers in the House and Senate can voice objections to the Electoral College tally. which was certified last month in accordance with laws, and like the election, was not fraudulent.