January 6 was a tragic.
I was there.
But it was thanks to.
Courageous efforts of hundreds of law enforcement officers that the
riot was quelled and we were able to reconvene the
Congress the very same day.
And I'll always believe by God's grace,
I did my duty that day.
To support and defend the Constitution of the United States
and despite the fact that the former President.
Had been convinced by a group of crackpot lawyers that
I had some authority to overturn the election.
I'd made it clear to him that I did not.
And I knew what my duty was that day.
The Bible says he keeps his oath even when it
hurts.
I know something about that.
I was on the ballot,
but for me it was very clear.
States conduct elections.
State certified presidential elections and then send electors.
Through the Electoral College to the Congress.
And the only role of the Congress under Article 2
is to open and count the electoral votes.
They can hear objections. Congress can consider those objections.
But my duty, I knew,
was to preside over over a joint session of Congress
that would open and count the votes.