UNITED STATES NEWS

AP sources: Judge rules Pence must testify before grand jury

Mar 28, 2023, 6:00 PM

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters before the MockCon event at University Chapel ...

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters before the MockCon event at University Chapel at Washington and Lee University Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Lexington, Va. (Scott P. Yates/The Roanoke Times via AP)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(Scott P. Yates/The Roanoke Times via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

That’s according to two people familiar with the decision, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the ruling remains under seal.

The ruling says Pence will not have to answer questions about his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol building as Republican Pence was presiding over a joint session of Congress to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s victory, according to one of the people. However, he would have to testify about any potential illegal acts committed by the former president, the person said.

Pence and his attorneys had cited constitutional grounds in challenging a grand jury subpoena issued weeks ago. They argued that, because he was serving in his capacity as president of the Senate that day, he was protected from being forced to testify under the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause, which is intended to protect members of Congress from questioning about official legislative acts.

Trump’s lawyers had also objected to Pence complying, citing executive privilege.

A Trump spokesman criticized the decision in a statement, accusing the Justice Department of “continuously stepping far outside the standard norms in attempting to destroy the long accepted, long held, constitutionally based standards of attorney-client privilege and executive privilege.”

“There is no factual or legal basis or substance to any case against President Trump,” they added, but did not respond to questions about how Trump’s legal team might respond.

Pence said Tuesday evening that his team was evaluating the judge’s ruling and would make a decision whether to appeal in the coming days.

“I’m pleased that the court accepted our argument and recognized that the Constitution’s provision about speech and debate does apply to the vice president,” Pence said during an appearance on Newsmax. “But how they sorted that out and what other testimony might be required, we’re currently reviewing.”

The sealed ruling from U.S. District Judge James “Jeb” Boasberg sets up the unprecedented scenario of a former vice president being compelled to give potentially damaging testimony against the president he once served. And it comes as Pence has been inching closer to announcing a run for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination — a decision that would put him in direct competition with his former boss.

In addition to the Justice Department probes, Trump is under investigation in Georgia and in New York, where a grand jury has been hearing testimony about hush money paid to women on Trump’s behalf during the 2016 campaign. That grand jury will not take up the inquiry again this week, two people familiar with the matter said Tuesday, meaning any potential vote on a possible indictment will not happen until next week at the earliest.

In Washington, as far as the Supreme Court.

Still, he told ABC’s “This Week” that he might be open to testifying about matters not directly related to his congressional role.

“I’ve actually never asserted that other matters unrelated to January 6 would otherwise be protected by speech and debate,” he told the network. “We’re gonna make that case, but I promise you we’ll respect the decisions of the court.”

A Justice Department special counsel, Jack Smith, is investigating attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn Biden’s win in the 2020 presidential election to keep Trump in the White House. Multiple Trump aides have already appeared before the federal grand jury, as well as before a separate panel examining allegations of Trump mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

A spokesman for the special counsel’s office declined to comment. A lawyer for Pence did not return messages seeking comment.

Pence has spoken extensively about Trump’s pressure campaign urging him to reject Biden’s victory in the days leading up to Jan. 6, including in his book, “So Help Me God.” Pence, as vice president, had a ceremonial role overseeing the counting of the Electoral College vote, but did not have the power to impact the results despite Trump’s contention otherwise.

Pence has said that Trump endangered his family and everyone else who was at the Capitol that day and history will hold him “accountable.”

___

Colvin reported from New York.

United States News

Associated Press

Former San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin takes new job, won’t run for office

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco’s polarizing former top prosecutor announced Wednesday he will not run for his old job, choosing instead to serve as executive director of a new criminal law research and advocacy center at University of California, Berkeley’s law school. Chesa Boudin was Brooke Jenkins, who promised more consequences for criminal defendants. […]

10 hours ago

Richard Gottfried, center, carries the Torah as he and other members of the New Light Jewish congre...

Associated Press

‘Felt like a year’: Worshipper describes fear during gunman’s deadly attack on Pittsburgh synagogue

PITTSBURGH (AP) — It was her brother’s active faith that inspired Carol Black to recommit as an adult to being a practicing Jew several years ago, and their shared commitment brought them to the Tree of Life synagogue on the October 2018 day it was attacked. Testifying on the second day of the trial of […]

10 hours ago

FILE - Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley smiles while taking a question from the audien...

Associated Press

Nikki Haley’s husband to deploy with National Guard to Africa as she seeks 2024 GOP nomination

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — wife’s campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. A formal deployment ceremony will likely happen in the next few weeks, a person with knowledge of Michael Haley’s deployment told The Associated Press on Wednesday. This spring, the South Carolina National Guard called officers with his skill set to deploy in support […]

10 hours ago

Associated Press

Some residents of collapsed Iowa building remain missing, while pets were rescued from safer area

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — As some residents of an Iowa apartment building that partially collapsed remained unaccounted for on Wednesday, officials in the city of Davenport say they were able to rescue several pets from a safer area of the six-story building. Officials said rescue teams entered a part of the building on Tuesday that […]

10 hours ago

Associated Press

Oklahoma high court strikes down 2 abortion bans; procedure remains illegal in most cases

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in the state in most cases. In a 6-3 ruling, the high court said the two bans are unconstitutional because they require a “medical emergency” before a doctor can perform an […]

10 hours ago

2024 Accord sedans are displayed at a Honda dealership Friday, April 14, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, ...

Associated Press

US safety agency to require automatic emergency braking on new vehicles and set tougher standards

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government’s auto safety agency plans to require that all new passenger cars and light trucks include potentially life-saving automatic emergency braking and meet stricter safety standards within three years. Wednesday’s announcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration represents the agency’s latest move toward regulating electronic systems that take on […]

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Company looking for oldest air conditioner and wants to reward homeowner with new one

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

AP sources: Judge rules Pence must testify before grand jury