Following a statement by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, it was revealed that President Trump was aware that Vice President Pence's life was in danger when rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6, minutes before he sent out tweets attacking Pence.
On Wednesday, February 10, Tuberville told reporters the President called him on January 6 to try and delay Biden's certification. The call was cut short, however, when the insurrection forced the Capitol into lockdown.
Tuberville recalled:
"He didn't get a chance to say a whole lot because I said, 'Mr. President, they just took the vice president out. I've got to go.'"
@Phil_Lewis_ @MEPFuller "Tuberville told reporters Wednesday night that Trump had called for his help in delaying e… https://t.co/tmvtFwPkCc— Fascism flattened, but never the webrant🕺------🕺 (@Fascism flattened, but never the webrant🕺------🕺) 1613022199.0
Ten minutes after 2:14, when Pence was removed from the Senate (and Tuberville told Trump that Pence was in danger), Trump tweeted this:
"Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution."
@Phil_Lewis_ @KarinSung_ I did not have "football coach reveals President wanted to murder his Vice President" on my insurrection bingo card— Rand Paul's neighbor was right (@Rand Paul's neighbor was right) 1613022278.0
@Phil_Lewis_ @MEPFuller Tubervulle so dense he doesn’t understand he just gave more evidence to managers— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin) 1613020579.0
The House managers prosecuting Trump during his impeachment trial seized upon this timing, highlighting video footage of rioters who were aware of Trump's tweet, while others erected a gallows on the Capitol lawn, and others still roamed the halls chanting "hang Mike Pence."
It was impossible for Trump to be unaware of the danger to Pence's life, but instead of trying to protect his second-in-command, the President further enflamed his supporters' anger.
@Phil_Lewis_ @MEPFuller The three words, “Tommy Tuberville inadvertently” are going to be used a lot over the next six years.— Chad Reno (@Chad Reno) 1613029886.0
@Phil_Lewis_ @missb62 Wasn't' his goal to put Pence's life in danger?— Fully Pfizered (@Fully Pfizered) 1613029078.0
Though Twitter wasn't particularly shocked at Trump's behavior, his lack of empathy was still chilling to many who expect better from a President.
@MollyMcKew Whether or not it rises to the level of criminal insurrection, I think it's a firing offense. Impeachme… https://t.co/5ZGhHkEagt— Feminist Fowl 胖老外 (@Feminist Fowl 胖老外) 1613074617.0
@MollyMcKew “He didn’t get a chance to say a whole lot because I said, ‘Mr. President, they just took the vice pres… https://t.co/aalq0ii2SR— riwoche རི་བོ་ཆེ་ (@riwoche རི་བོ་ཆེ་) 1613047855.0
Political pundits and reporters dissected the timeline of events to try and communicate the irresponsibility of the President's tweet.
Seems significant that a senator is acknowledging telling Trump *directly* that Pence was under threat, and Trump s… https://t.co/SCvpWmDNVM— Kyle Cheney (@Kyle Cheney) 1613006345.0
We know Trump tweeted at 2:24pm that Pence "didn't have the courage" to overturn the election. What we don't know i… https://t.co/mdPkU90x0M— Kyle Cheney (@Kyle Cheney) 1613008160.0
From what I can establish from the record: -Trump spoke to Tuberville sometime between 2-2:15 (Deseret News) -Penc… https://t.co/7UoakQ1etD— Kyle Cheney (@Kyle Cheney) 1613012924.0
Many questioned whether the President truly wished something bad befell Pence.
Growing more clear that Donald Trump stood back and stood by while Vice President, Speaker of the House, 2012 Repub… https://t.co/C4b0XDF0DT— Michael Beschloss (@Michael Beschloss) 1613055736.0
During his time in office, there was one thing more important to Donald Trump than anything.
Himself.
Impossible to believe that as the Secret Service was evacuating Pence, Trump wasn’t informed.— David Axelrod (@David Axelrod) 1613000212.0
There are no words. https://t.co/45S1cts8VT— Harry McCracken (@Harry McCracken) 1613064712.0
If President Trump is convicted by the Senate by a two thirds majority, he can then be barred from holding future office by a simple majority vote.