No matter what President Trump says, Vice President Mike Pence has no discretion when Congress counts electoral votes on Wednesday. Pence’s role is merely ministerial, and he cannot lawfully help Trump overturn the states’ certified election results.

Trump was wrong on Monday night to suggest otherwise by saying that he will “like” Pence less if Pence doesn’t help. Trump is suggesting something akin to asking the scoreboard operator to overturn the results of a football game. It’s nonsense.