Former United States Vice President Mike Pence has requested this Monday to block a subpoena to testify about the assault on the Capitol that took place on January 6, 2021.
According to sources consulted by the CNN television network, the former vice president requested on Friday through a sealed procedure the blocking of the request, alleging that it is protected by the constitutional clause of Speech or Debate.
Pence’s legal team filed the request the same day that former President Donald Trump pleaded that Pence be barred from testifying before a grand jury on matters related to his legislative duties.
Pence’s legal team filed the request the same day that former President Donald Trump pleaded that Pence be barred from testifying before a grand jury on matters related to his legislative duties.
Pence is potentially a key witness because he is one of the people best positioned to provide factual information about Trump’s intentions at the time. In addition, relations between Trump and Pence broke down precisely in the days before that January 6.
“It’s unconstitutional”
Mike Pence had publicly indicated that he planned to resist the subpoena, arguing that it was “unconstitutional and unprecedented”. His lawyers have previously told the Justice Department that his client would be willing to answer questions if they are limited to matters already publicly discussed in the past.
Special counsel Jack Smith, who filed the subpoena for Pence’s testimony, is investigating documents and testimony related to the Capitol storming, as well as Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving office.
Donald trump
Former President Trump is also being investigated for his role in the assault on the Capitol when a mob of ultra-nationalists related to the then-president broke into the headquarters of the US Legislature to try to stop the transfer of power in favor of Joe Biden, winner of the elections. previous.
On this issue, last week the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney General’s Office assured that former President Donald Trump does not enjoy immunity from the lawsuits filed against him for his conduct and the role he played during the assault on the Capitol in January 2021.
The US Justice Administration urges the Court of Appeals to reject and dismiss Trump’s theses, in the framework of the civil litigation over the assault, arguing that a president cannot be immune when speaking about matters of public interest.
