Former Vice President Mike Pence appeared Thursday before the federal grand jury to give his version of the facts regarding the events of January 6, 2021, which involved President Donald Trump calling for an alleged insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol. This insurrection attempt is perceived by the American public opinion as an attempt to overthrow American democracy. The testimony is a significant development in the special counsel’s probe, as Mike Pence could prove insights into Trump’s thinking in the days leading up to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Vice President Pence published a memoir and a Wall Street Journal opinion article detailing several of his interactions with President Trump, but some details were left vague. Special counsel Jack Smith’s team is particularly interested in Trump’s efforts to try to block the certification of the election.
Vice President Pence was initially subpoenaed by Smith in February for documents and testimony related to Jan. 6. The subpoena came after months of negotiations between federal prosecutors and Pence’s legal team. Judge James E. Boasberg ordered Vice President Pence to testify before the grand jury and to provide records to Smith and, according to sources, Judge Boasberg ruled that Vice President Pence should have to provide answers to Smith on any questions that implicate any illegal acts on Trump’s part.
Back in 2021, Vice President Pence refused to follow President Trump in his attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 election results. President Trump saw this gesture as a betrayal. It is unclear exactly what Vice President Pence said in his testimony. But the Former Vice President and potential challenger to President Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination suggested in a CBS News interview last week that his testimony would be similar to what he recounted in his 2022 book on the matter. In a Newsmax interview, the former VP indicated that he had nothing to hide. He said:
“I believe we did our duty that day under the Constitution of the United States, and in this matter, I thought it was important that we stand on that constitutional principle again. But we’re currently speaking to our attorneys about the proper way forward.”
At the Gridiron Dinner for politicians and journalists last March, VP Pence said:
“President Trump was wrong I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”
It is clear that Vice President Pence did not hold back on how he feels about President Trump and his impact on American democracy. Vice President Pence must be ready to face President Trump in GOP primaries. It is going to be a nasty battle between the Former President and the Former Vice President. President Trump is known to be a very combative individual and he will not hold back when he will face VP Pence.
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