WASHINGTON, D.C. (WWNY) – North country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik says if she had been in Vice President Mike Pence’s shoes on January 6, 2021, she would have refused to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.
“I would not have done what Mike Pence did. I don’t think that was the right approach,” she said during an interview on CNN on Thursday night.
Stefanik, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, is widely seen as a potential running mate for the former president this election year.
Stefanik (R. – 21st District) continued, “I specifically stand by what I said on the House floor, and I stand by my statement which was there was unconstitutional overreach. There was unconstitutional overreach in states like Pennsylvania. And I think it’s very important that we continue to stand up for the Constitution and have legal and secure elections which we did not have in 2020. And tens of millions of Americans agree with me.”
Trump claims the 2020 election was stolen, a belief that many Republicans still embrace despite no evidence of widespread fraud that would have swayed the election’s outcome. On January 6, 2021, Trump urged Pence to overturn the election results, but Pence declined, saying he didn’t have the authority under the Constitution.
During a rally that day, Trump held a rally at which he voiced the hope that Pence would “do the right thing.” He encouraged supporters to go to the Capitol.
A riot broke out, the Capitol building was attacked, and some rioters chanted, “Hang Mike Pence.”
During the CNN interview, Stefanik was asked if she has been part of any vetting process to be considered as Trump’s vice presidential pick.
She replied, “I’m proud to be one of the top surrogates for President Trump. I voted for President Trump in 2016. I was proud to work with him. I’ve worked with him on his impeachment defense team when the first witch hunt started against him perpetrated by the Democrats and Adam Schiff and I am proud to be a top surrogate. I would be proud to serve in a future Trump Administration, but we have a lot to do. I have a lot of responsibility as the House Republican conference chair.”
The following is part of the exchange between Stefanik and Kaitlan Collins of CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins:
COLLINS: Had you been vice president on January 6th, 2021, what would you have done?
STEFANIK: I stood up for the Constitution. I believe–
COLLINS: No, what would you have done if you were vice president?
STEFANIK: I would not have done what Mike Pence did. I don’t think that was the right approach. I specifically stand by what I said on the House floor. And I stand by my statement, which was–
COLLINS: So, you would have rejected the votes?
STEFANIK: There was unconstitutional overreach in states like Pennsylvania, and I think it’s very important that we continue to stand up for the Constitution and have legal and secure elections, which we did not have in 2020. And tens of millions of Americans agree with me, Kaitlan.
COLLINS: Well, I would say the Supreme Court in the state of Pennsylvania said that Republican-passed changes to their law was constitutional. But it’s notable to hear you say, given you’re in the running to be the vice president, that you would’ve rejected those votes. Come this election, when Vice President Harris is in that position, would you be okay if she rejected the votes if Donald Trump wins?
STEFANIK: Listen, we need to make sure the election is constitutional and legal. We’re talking about Democrats–
COLLINS: It was legal.
STEFANIK: It was not, Kaitlan. It was unconstitutional when there was circumventing state legislatures, unilaterally changing election law. I stand by my statement on the House floor. And again, tens of millions of Americans agree with that statement and have questions about the validity–
COLLINS: Because Republicans are sowing doubt about the election.
STEFANIK: No, no, no, because the American people have rightful questions on the constitutionality.
