Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) advised reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday that he has not been concerned in any talks with Trump allies about the potential for him presiding over the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.
“We have been speaking about chairing the Senate, however lots of people received confused with the concept I might chair the joint session,” Grassley stated as he exited the Senate subway for the primary vote of the day. . “You recognize this isn’t in any respect what I supposed to do. I’ve by no means been concerned in any conversations about this or anything.
When requested how the mix-up occurred, Grassley was led away by a employees member, and reporters have been advised the senator’s workplace might ship a press release to make clear.
Questions on Trump allies’ discussions about Grassley’s presidency of Congress as an alternative of former Vice President Mike Pence on Jan. 6 resurfaced Tuesday when Trump legal professional John Eastman was requested about these conversations throughout a disbarment trial in California.
Eastman dodged the query and claimed that conversations on the topic have been protected by attorney-client privilege. According to Politico. Requested additional which agent Eastman was referring to, he stated: “President Trump.”
The concept of Grassley appointing Pence to preside over the joint session of Congress on January 6 first surfaced when it appeared Grassley was making ready to take such motion.
On January 5, 2021, simply someday earlier than Congress is scheduled to rely the Electoral Faculty votes for the 2020 election, Grassley advised reporters that he would preside over the Senate debate over the 2020 election controversies if Pence didn’t attend. as Iowa Capital Dispatch talked about.
On the time, Grassley indicated that Pence was not anticipated to attend, however his workplace later clarified that was a “misinterpretation” and that Pence was anticipated to attend.
“Nicely, to start with, I can be — if the vp is not there and we do not count on him to be, I’ll preside over the Senate,” Grassley stated on the time, in response to a transcript of the assembly. His remarks have been later despatched by the spokesperson.
It was solely later revealed that Eastman and different Trump allies could have been discussing the thought of a Grassley presidency as early as December 2020. This got here in emails exchanged between Eastman and Trump advisor Boris Epstein. The 2 have been discussing amendments to Eastman’s now-infamous two-page memo outlining Pence’s choices on Jan. 6 when Eastman reportedly raised the potential for Grassley filling in for Pence.
In that change, which came about on December 23, 2020, Eastman advised Epstein that he hoped members of Congress wouldn’t “cease Pence (or Grassley)” from blocking the certification of the election.
Shortly after this story was revealed, Grassley’s workplace responded to TPM’s request for added remark with the next assertion, emphasizing their assertion:
“Neither Senator Grassley nor his employees have been knowledgeable of any plans to cancel the election. Responding to press questions throughout a media name on January 5, 2021, Senator Grassley stated that, as then-temporary Senate President, he can be on the high of the listing of candidates for the Senate presidency. Senate If the Vice President will not be current at any time Senate Procedures for contemplating any objections to electoral votes raised within the joint session of Congress. Senator Grassley had each expectation that Pence would attend and preside over the joint session of Congressheld to rely the electoral votes.
