A federal judge has ruled that former Vice President Mike Pence must testify in a probe about conversations with then-President Donald Trump about his plans to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
However, the judge noted that Pence could decline to answer questions related to his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when Pence presided over the certification of the Electoral College vote.
As ABC News reports:
According to sources, D.C. Chief Judge James Boasberg ordered that Pence should have to provide answers to Special Counsel Jack Smith on any questions that implicate any illegal acts on Trump’s part.
Pence’s team had argued that such communications could run afoul of the Speech and Debate Clause that shields officials in Congress from legal proceedings specifically related to their work.
The special counsel’s office declined to comment to ABC News. Spokespeople for Pence and Trump did not immediately respond.
It was not immediately clear whether Trump or Pence’s legal teams are planning to appeal the rulings.
Pence has previously vowed to appeal all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Though the former vice president has fought aggressively against having to testify, he has criticized Trump multiple times for his one-time boss’ actions leading up to the U.S. Capitol riot.
In a memoir released last year, Pence called out Trump in his most forceful rebuke yet, saying his words endangered him, his family and “all those serving at the Capitol” that day.
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He just needs to pull a Fauci: “I don’t recall, I don’t recall”.
Pence was always a rino. He was pushed into that position by Howdy Duty McConnell, the chief rino. The plan was impeach Trump and Pence slips in. Well we know how that turned out, so why would he want to do what was right on Jan 6th? That would be against what the dem/rino (uniparty), goal was/is. To Get rid of Trump before he cleans up the swamp.
Hmmmm – I believe prior to 06Jan, I believe Mr Pence was the VP and guess what President Trump was JUST THAT – I believe it is called Executive Privilege and he CANNOT be forced to testify on private conversations between the two!
Obviously this idiot judge knows, OR should know better!