Mike Pence statement – Vice President defies Trump and says he can't 'decide electoral votes' to deny Biden win

MIKE Pence has defied Donald Trump in a letter to Congress on Wednesday.

Pence wrote that he feels as though he does not have the "unilateral authority to decide which electoral votes should be counted."

Read our US Politics live blog for the Georgia runoff results, Electoral College updates, and latest on the 'Stop the Steal' protests

"Four years ago, surrounded by my family, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, which ended with the words 'So help me God'," Pence concluded the letter.

"When the Joint Session of Congress convenes today, I will do my duty to see to it that we open the certificates of the Electors of the several states, we hear objections raised by Senators and Representatives, and we count the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President in a manner consistent with our Constitution, laws, and history."

When arriving at Capitol Hill on Wednesday afternoon, Pence was heard on hot-mic asking: "Is my statement out?"

During a "Stop the Steal" event in Washington DC on Wednesday, outgoing President Trump again pushed Pence to "do the right thing" and fight Biden's win.

"I hope Mike is gonna do the right thing," Trump said. "I hope so, I hope so, because if Mike Pence does the right thing, we win the election."

He later said: "Mike Pence has to agree to send it back."

"These people are not going to take it any longer," Trump said, speaking of crowds.

He mimicked comments from Rudy Giuliani just hours before, where he insisted that Pence could reject the states' Electoral College results.

"Let's have trial by combat," he told supporters.

However, according to the 12th amendment of the Constitution, Pence will not be able to overturn the vote.

The law states that the vice president cannot judge who won a state's electoral votes.

Trump has pressed Republican lawmakers to formally object at a joint session of Congress on Wednesday that is set to confirm Biden's victory in the Electoral College.

The outgoing president's attempts to overturn the election has split the Republican Party, with some backing him and others turning against him.

Pence, who is under pressure to tip the results for Trump, will be closely watched as he presides in a ceremonial role over Wednesday’s joint session.

More to follow…

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