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According to media reports, former President Donald Trump, 76, failed in an attempt to dissuade his then Vice President Mike Pence, 63, from making a statement during investigations into the January 6, 2021 riots in Washington. A judge ordered that Pence be questioned about at least some of his interactions with Trump, the New York Times and CNN reported Tuesday.
On January 6, 2021, Trump supporters stormed the Houses of Parliament in Washington as his challenger Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election was to be officially sealed. Trump had incited the crowd with renewed false accusations of voter fraud. Pence, as vice president, presided over the Capitol session that was interrupted by the attack.
Will Pence testify?
Pence himself wrote in his memoir that Trump and his lawyer had tried in the days before to convince him to refuse to confirm Biden’s election victory at the rally. Pence therefore turned this down. However, he refuses to testify in the investigation, as it would set a bad precedent for the office of Vice President, whose activities as head of the Senate are protected. Trump’s lawyers, in turn, referred to so-called executive privilege, which shields the president’s interactions.
According to media reports, the Washington judge rejected Trump’s arguments. In Pence’s case, he decided that the vice president could be questioned about Trump’s possible violations of the law. It was initially unclear whether Pence would take action against the decision or accept it.
The investigation into the January 6 attack is one of many legal issues facing Trump, who plans to return to the White House in 2024. (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
