Donald Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence Testifies on Capitol Riots | US News

Former Vice President Mike Pence will not appeal a judge’s ruling requiring him to testify before a grand jury over ex-President Donald Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

Pence “will comply with the subpoena as required by law,” his spokesman Devin O’Malley said Wednesday.

A federal grand jury is considering possible criminal charges against Trump in connection with the deadly 2021 riot.

The decision came a day after Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges for his alleged role in a hush-hush payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Trump was the first former president to be criminally prosecuted, and the indictment and indictment have left open the question of whether other state and federal investigations into him will be stepped up and more charges brought. One of them concerns the Capitol riot, and Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing it, had Pence subpoenaed.

Pence presided over Congress when he certified Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to stop certification. Earlier that day, Trump urged his fans at a rally to “fight like hell” so he could keep the presidency.

Trump’s vice president had challenged the subpoena, arguing that the speech or debate clause in the constitution protects him from testifying. Pence felt vindicated by part of a judge’s decision that he can remain silent on matters specific to his role before the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress, his spokesman said.

“The court’s landmark and historic ruling confirmed for the first time in history that the speaking or debate clause extends to the Vice President of the United States,” O’Malley said.

“Having confirmed this principle of the Constitution, Vice President Pence will not appeal the judge’s decision and will comply with the subpoena as required by law.”

Trump, who has also challenged the subpoena for Pence, may seek to appeal the judge’s ruling, which would delay Pence’s testimony.

A spokesman for Trump stated that the Justice Department “continued to go well beyond standard norms by attempting to destroy the long-accepted, long-held, constitutional standards of attorney-client privilege and executive privilege.”

Trump’s spokesman also accused Smith of “conducting a witch hunt in which the administration attempted to violate every constitutional norm, including safeguards protecting a president’s ability to consult with his vice president on matters related to United States security.” “.

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