Republican Liz Cheney, the vice chair of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot, said former President Donald Trump refused to call off his supporters, even when they began chanting, "Hang Mike Pence."
"Maybe our supporters have the right idea," Trump said, according to Cheney. "Mike Pence deserves it."
For hours Trump, in the White House, blocks from the U.S. Capitol, declined to tell the rioters to stand down. He believed that his supporters were doing what should be done, Cheney said.
Trump put unrelenting pressure on Pence to take over the counting of the Electoral College votes by Congress, a ceremonial role.
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
Pence in a video was seen saying Trump was wrong when he said that Pence could overturn the election. He said there was no idea more un-American than the notion that one person could choose the president of the United States.
Cheney added it would also be illegal.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
For more on the hearing, follow our live blog.