Pro-Trump mob wanted to kill Vice President Mike Pence in Capitol Hill, claims photographer

MAGA rioters wanted to find Vice President Mike Pence and execute him by hanging, claims a photographer who was at Capitol Hill during the riots. Reuters photographer Jim Bourg stated that he heard multiple rioters on Capitol Hill say there were looking for Vice President Mike Pence so they could kill him by hanging. "I heard at least 3 different rioters at the Capitol say that they hoped to find Vice President Mike Pence and execute him by hanging him from a Capitol Hill tree as a traitor. It was a common line being repeated. Many more were just talking about how the VP should be executed," tweeted Bourg. He was responding to a tweet stating that MAGA rioters were photographed with law enforcement-style flex-cuffs that could have potentially used to take members of Congress or the Vice President hostage.  

Trump's directed immense pressure on Mike Pence by repeatedly telling his followers that the Vice President had the power to overturn the election results. After Pence conceded he had no power to do so, and prepared to certify Biden as the winner of the Presidential election, Trump ramped up the attack on Mike Pence, turning his supporters on the Vice President. FBI also recovered two pipe bombs on Capitol Hill and offered $50,000 as a reward for providing information on those who brought the pipe bombs. 

In the run-up to January 6, the day of Congress certifying elections, Trump constantly put pressure on Mike Pence. "States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!" tweeted Trump on the morning of the riots. Later he tweeted again. "If Vice President @Mike_Pence comes through for us, we will win the Presidency. Many States want to decertify the mistake they made in certifying incorrect and even fraudulent numbers in a process NOT approved by their State Legislatures (which it must be). Mike can send it back!"

Mike Pence had to release a statement debunking Trump's claims that he had the power to override the election results. Pence stated he had no legal or constitutional authority to do so. "Some believe that as Vice President, I should be able to accept or reject electoral votes unilaterally. Others believe that electoral votes should never be challenged in a Joint Session of Congress. After a careful study of our Constitution, our laws, and our history, I believe neither view is correct," read the statement. Donald Trump immediately took to Twitter and said Pence lacked the "courage" to do what was necessary. Trump developed a cult following in the run-up to the 2016 elections and throughout his four years in office so there was no question about whose word MAGA rioters were going to believe. They were fully convinced that Pence had the authority to swing the elections in Trump's favor but didn't do it because he lacked the courage to do so.

This is further supported by Reuters photographer Jim Bourg's claims that rioters were looking for Pence with the intention of killing him. Sources close to the vice president also confirmed to the Vice President that rioters could be heard shouting, "Where's Mike Pence," after they breached the Senate chamber in Capitol Hill. The source also added that the President didn't check with Mike Pence about his or his family's safety after the rioters attacked Capitol Hill. Republican Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma told local news outlet Tulsa World that Pence was livid with Trump over the riots. "I've known Mike Pence forever. I've never seen Pence as angry as he was today," said Inhofe.