The New York Times is reporting that the DOJ wants to question former Vice President Mike Pence in connection with its investigation into former President Trump’s involvement in the January 6 plot to overturn the 2020 Presidential election.
The Times is citing sources familiar with the matter. It further reports that Pence is open to considering the request, recognizing the Department of Justice’s investigation is separate from the House Select Committee investigating January 6. On Sunday Pence said on CBS, “Congress has no right to my testimony.”
It’s not clear yet whether Trump would attempt to block his former Vice President from speaking to the DOJ by invoking executive privilege, a ploy Trump has attempted with other witnesses, to limited success.
On Friday, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed veteran career prosecutor Jack Smith as special counsel to determine whether criminal charges should be filed against Trump in this case and/or in Trump’s retention of thousands of government documents at his country club residence, Mar-a-Lago, after his Presidency ended.
