Pence testifies before grand jury investigating Donald Trump over Jan. 6 Capitol seizure
The former vice president testified behind closed doors for more than five hours, according to reports.
(Cordon Press)
Former Vice President Mike Pence appeared Thursday before the federal grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Reports indicate that Pence testified in closed session for more than five hours, marking a historic event, as it is the first time in modern history that a vice president has been forced to testify about the president for whom he served. In addition, his appearance could have significant political implications as Pence could compete against Trump in the primaries for the 2024 presidential race.
Pence made it clear that he believes the former president was responsible for the riots that occurred on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021 and stated that history would take care of holding him accountable.
"President Trump was wrong. He had no right to annul the elections. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone on Capitol Hill that day," he said a little more than a month ago.
However, he has not provided further details regarding the days leading up to the attack, so his testimony under oath could represent a significant breakthrough for Special Prosecutor Jack Smith's investigationThe same Department of Justice (DOJ) official who is investigating the Mar-a-Lago raid case.
Attempts to delay subpoena
On several occasions Pence demonstrated that he wanted to stay away from the case. In fact, the former vice-president himself had refused to testify, but the judges ordered him to do so.
Trump also made efforts to try to block Pence from appearing, but on Wednesday night a panel of judges on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the argument that the former vice president's testimony should be barred or limited by executive privilege.
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