US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence had a “good conversation” at the White House on Monday evening, a senior administration official said, marking the end of a silent period in their relationship
The conversation was their first since the Republican president lambasted Mr Pence on Wednesday for not seeking to block the certification in Congress of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College win.
A source familiar with the situation said Mr Trump had not reached out to Mr Pence to check on his safety on Wednesday when he was evacuated after a mob of Mr Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol in the middle of the certification process.
The official said Mr Trump and Mr Pence discussed the riot in their Oval Office meeting on Monday.
“They reiterated that those who broke the law and stormed the Capitol last week do not represent the America first movement backed by 75 million Americans, and pledged to continue the work on behalf of the country for the remainder of their term,” the official said in a statement.
“The two had a good conversation, discussing the week ahead and reflecting on the last four years of the administration’s work and accomplishments,” the official added. Mr Biden takes office on 20 January.
Last week, Mr Trump, who has sought unsuccessfully to overturn his 3 November election loss, urged Mr Pence to intervene in the certification process and encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol. A melee ensued in which five people died, including a Capitol Police officer.
Some of Mr Trump’s supporters in the assault discussed assassinating Mr Pence for being a traitor.
The vice president has resisted pressure from Democrats to help remove Mr Trump from office by invoking the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution. Mr Pence’s advisers say he is opposed to such a move.
Democrats in the US House of Representativeson Wednesday unless he steps down or is removed before then, after drawing up charges accusing him of inciting insurrection before last week’s siege of the Capitol.
Mr Pence has been a loyal lieutenant to Mr Trump for the four years of his often chaotic presidency, standing by him through multiple crises.
