But in a motion to speed up proceedings, Gohmert and voters revealed that their lawyers had sought out Pence’s attorney in the Vice President’s Office to try to reach a settlement before going to court.
“In the conference call, the Claimants’ attorney made a significant attempt to resolve the underlying legal issues by agreement, including advising the Vice President’s lawyer that the Claimants intended to seek immediate injunctive relief in case the parties disagreed,” according to the Gohmert document. “These discussions were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement and this process has been moved.”
Pence has yet to publicly express an opinion on his plans to chair the January 6 session, when Congress will count the electoral votes that should certify Biden’s victory. He also did not comment publicly on Trump’s repeated calls to reverse the results of the democratic process and settle for a second term.
Gohmert’s lawyers in the case, some of whom handled some of Trump’s lawsuits aimed at overturning Biden’s victory in decisive states, indicated that they had already been in touch with lawyers from the Justice Department’s civil division over the government’s formal response to the suit. Further calls were scheduled for Tuesday.
Gohmert and voters are looking for an accelerated schedule for the judge, US District Court Judge Jeremy Kernodle of the Eastern District of Texas, which would result in a decision no later than January 4, so that they have the opportunity to appeal before the 6th Congress session.