Pence testified for more than five hours before a grand jury in the Capitol attack

He Former Vice President Mike Pence testified for more than five hours Thursday before a grand jury tasked with investigating Donald Trump’s bid to stay in power, which sparked the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. It is the first time in modern US history that former Lt. the president must testify about the actions of the head of state under the same administration.

Pence’s sworn testimony took place behind closed doors, and the topics discussed are kept secret. The appearance would likely address the pressure the Republican received from Trump and his entourage to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. At the time, the outgoing president (now a candidate for the 2024 election) and his team tried to prevent the transfer of power. Part of that effort culminated in an attack on Congress during a joint session to certify election results.

Avoid the look

Both Trump and Pence failed in their attempts to prevent the former vice president from appearing. At first, Pence’s team claimed the appearance was off-limits constitutional clause which protects members of Congress from liability for statements made in the course of their duties.

The judge accepted part of the arguments, James Boasbergin a decision granting certain privileges to vice presidents for the first time: On January 6, 2021, Pence would not have to discuss anything related to his role as president of the Senate, but would have to Answer about Trump’s possible crimes.

For its part, Trump’s legal team argued that “executive privilege”, which protects the presidency’s communications, also extended to the vice president, an argument Boasberg rejected. On Wednesday night, the Washington County Court of Appeals rejected the last appeal Trump – who called for the immediate withdrawal of the decision on Boasberg – and gave the green light to the performance of Pence.

Although the vice president has always been reluctant to speak under oath about what happened on January 6, 2021, he has pointed out on several occasions that refused to follow instructions outgoing president and who preferred to respect the Constitution.

The defense that sparked Trump’s furious attack. “Mike didn’t have the courage to do what he needed to do to protect our country and our Constitution,” he said at the time. After these words, Trump’s supporters who stormed the Capitol raised shouts “hang Mike Pence”.