Prosecutors seek former Vice President Pence to testify in January 6 criminal investigation

Pence: Trump decided to be part of the problem in January 6 insurrection 2:25

(CNN) --

Justice Department prosecutors have contacted representatives of former Vice President Mike Pence to seek their testimony in the criminal investigation into efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to impede the transition of power after the 2020 election, according to people familiar with the matter.

Pence's team indicated that the former vice president is open to discussing a possible agreement with the Justice Department to provide any testimony, one of the people said.

• Mike Pence rebuked Trump and received an avalanche of support from the Republican Party

The

initially reported the approach to Pence.

The request came before the Justice Department appointed a special prosecutor to oversee two Trump-linked investigations: the case involving the January 6, 2021 case and the alleged mishandling of classified documents found at the Trump home and resort. Trump in Palm Beach, Florida.

It's unclear how the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith will affect discussions between the Justice Department and Pence's team.

The Justice Department declined to comment with CNN, as did a representative for Pence.

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• Mike Pence: "I think we will have better options in the future" than Trump

Pence recently published a memoir describing some of his interactions with Trump as the former president sought to overturn the 2020 election results. The book's publication led to anticipation that the Justice Department would likely seek information about those interactions as part of the criminal investigation.

Pence declined an interview request from the investigating House select committee on Jan. 6, but allowed his top aides to testify in the Justice Department criminal investigation.

Department of Justice Mike Pence