The House Select Committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot makes clear that Pence usurped Trump’s presidency, Finchem told the United Patriots.
By Robert Anglen || The Arizona Republic
Mark Finchem is accusing former Vice President Mike Pence of orchestrating a coup that began on Jan. 6, 2021.
Finchem, the Republican candidate for Arizona secretary of state, said Pence unlawfully called the U.S. attorney general and the departments of Defense and Homeland Secretary to stop supporters of former President Donald Trump from laying siege to the U.S. Capitol.
“Mike Pence seized power over an existing president,” Finchem said in a videotaped speech. “Pence had zero authority to order the DOD, DHS or DOJ around. Zero, zip, nada … ladies and gentlemen, that’s a coup.”
Finchem gave the speech at a July meeting of United Patriots in Mesa. United Patriots describes itself as a group that believes in the Constitution of the United States, as written and established by the founding fathers.
“We love our country, support and respect our fellow citizens, and educate constitutional advocates empowering all individuals with the confidence and knowledge to understand and promote their divinely given rights,” the website states.
Wearing his signature cowboy hat and a red T-shirt with the slogan “#ProveIt”, Finchem said Pence was attempting to steal the 2024 presidential election by endorsing moderate Republicans in primary elections.
Finchem, who is endorsed by Trump, was a prominent member of the “Stop the Steal” movement and has sought to overturn Arizona’s 2020 presidential election results.
The House Select Committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot makes clear that Pence usurped Trump’s presidency, Finchem told the United Patriots.
“This is an indictment against the individuals who betrayed a president at the very moment they should have stood beside him,” he said.
