Mike Pence WILL testify in January 6 grand jury case

Former Vice President Mike Pence has decided not to appeal a judge’s ruling requiring him to testify before a grand jury, but recognizes his constitutional role as Senate President.

The decision is just the latest step that will allow a series of top officials with key information about the final days of the Trump administration to testify at Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 investigation.

Pence had previously spoken favorably about aspects of District Court Judge James Boasberg’s decision to flesh out elements of his role, but said he wanted time to meet with his legal team to decide.

His announcement comes a day after a federal appeals panel ruled that former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and other former Trump aides must testify, adding to the growing list of people who will answer questions in the ongoing investigation of the Capitol on January 6. revolt.

It remains unclear how far he will go in revealing details about the president’s months-long effort to undermine the election results and later attempt to reverse the outcome.

Pence adviser Devin O’Malley spoke on that aspect of the ruling, saying the former VP had prevailed even as he had to respond to the subpoena for his testimony.

Pence did not speak to the House 6 Committee committee during her investigation, though some of his top aides joined a chorus of officials who undermined former President Donald Trump’s move to try to pressure Pence to refuse to count votes that were certified by states that went before Joe Biden.

Pence’s lawyers had referred to his unique role as Senate President, as protected by the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause, which protects legislators from things they say as legislators.

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

“Having endorsed that principle of the Constitution, Vice President Pence will not appeal the judge’s ruling and will comply with the subpoena as required by law.

Smith subpoenaed Pence earlier this year.

The development comes weeks after Pence issued his strongest criticism yet of Trump’s role on Jan. 6.

“President Trump was wrong,” Pence said at the March Gridiron Dinner in DC. “I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone in the Capitol that day. And I know that history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”

But he has continued to praise the achievements of the Trump administration, regularly testifying to his “broad-shouldered” leadership during his tenure.

Pence is trailing Trump in early presidential polls and may launch his own campaign for the 2024 nomination.

The ruling still requires Pence to testify about everything potentially illegal acts.

Pence’s decision follows Trump’s speech Tuesday night of a defiant speech at Mar-a-Lago, where he attacked prosecutors and judges, as well as the DOJ and FBI, and called Jack Smith a “lunatic.”

“The only crime I have committed is to fearlessly defend our country against those who seek to destroy it,” Trump said hours after being arrested in New York following his indictment in the Stormy Daniels case.