The special counsel looking into Donald Trump’s involvement in the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 has summoned former US vice president Mike Pence, according to US media reports on Thursday.
In order to oversee federal inquiries into Trump’s involvement in the disturbance and his management of sensitive records kept at his Florida beach resort, the Justice Department named Jack Smith as special counsel.
According to ABC News, the subpoena “follows months of negotiations between federal prosecutors and Pence’s legal team.”
Pence’s testimony may provide light on Trump’s attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the election.
Trump openly pressed Pence, who presided over the congressional session, to refuse to certify the election results, but Pence refused.
Pence has called Trump’s conduct on January 6 “reckless,” but he has declined to respond to inquiries from a congressional committee looking into the attack on the Capitol.
Trump, who has declared his intention to run for president again in 2024, may attempt to prevent Pence from testifying by using executive privilege, as he has with other former officials.
Pence has not declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, but it is thought that he is considering it.
Although Attorney General Merrick Garland will have the final word on whether charges should be filed, Smith will decide whether Trump should be charged.
