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Storming the Capitol: Pence will testify in court

2023-04-06T08:09:15.295Z


Former Vice President Mike Pence may testify later this month about the storming of the US Capitol. He is considered an important witness.


Former Vice President Mike Pence may testify later this month about the storming of the US Capitol.

He is considered an important witness.

Washington - The storming of the Capitol in Washington went down in US history as a black day.

Hundreds of radical supporters of ex-President Donald Trump stormed the seat of the United States Congress on January 6, 2021 to prevent the certification of Democratic President Joe Biden's election victory.

Now the way is apparently clear for a possible statement by the then Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence.

He is considered an important witness in the case.

It could be tight for Trump to prevent his former deputy as a witness.

After storming the Capitol: Donald Trump could appeal against the statement of his former deputy

Last week, federal judge James Boasberg ordered former Vice President Pence to testify about the storming of the Capitol.

"Vice President Pence will not be appealing the judge's decision and will, as required by law, comply with the subpoena," Pence counsel Devin O'Malley said on Wednesday.

This now paves the way for a possible statement by the ex-vice president.

Although former US President Trump could still appeal the federal judge's decision, experts believe the chances of success are low.

In the past, the former President's lawyers had tried to prevent important witnesses from testifying, citing so-called executive privileges.

Mike Pence's testimony before the court could possibly come as soon as this month.

Storming the Capitol: background to investigations against Trump

Former US President Donald Trump repeatedly spread false statements about alleged voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election in the weeks leading up to January 6 and falsely claimed victory.

In a speech just before the attack, he urged his supporters to march on the Capitol.

"You have to fight," he called out to the crowd in Washington, among other things, and affirmed: "We will never give up".

The angry crowd forced their way into the Capitol, killing at least five as a result.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, employed by the US Department of Justice, is currently examining what role Trump's statements played in this.

Last December, the House of Representatives investigative committee into the storming of the Capitol recommended that the judiciary prosecute the former president for instigating or aiding and abetting a riot.

Mike Pence statement draws closer: 'History will hold Donald Trump accountable'

On January 6, Mike Pence, President of the Senate, chaired the session of Congress, which had to be temporarily interrupted by the violent storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters.

The former US deputy is referring to his parliamentary immunity in this regard, which is why direct statements on the day of the storming of the Capitol are not expected.

When questioned by the court, the focus is therefore primarily on the days before the Capitol was stormed.

In his autobiography, the former vice president writes that in the days leading up to January 6, Trump and his attorney urged him to stop the House from confirming the results of the November 2020 presidential election at the Capitol session.

Pence refused and said he was not entitled to do so.

Judge Boasberg's decision Wednesday is now aimed at questioning Pence about those conversations.

In mid-March, Pence had already clearly distanced himself from the former US President at an event organized by the journalists' association Gridiron Club in Washington.

“President Trump was wrong,” Pence said of the events of January 6, 2021. “I had no right to overturn the election and his rash words endangered my family and everyone in the Capitol that day.

And I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.” During the attack on the Capitol, Trump tweeted several times, criticizing Vice President Pence, among others.

The angry crowd in front of the Capitol also shouted "Hang Mike Pence" (in German: Hang Mike Pence).

Donald Trump in the sights of the judiciary: These investigations are being carried out against the ex-President of the USA

The investigation into the storming of the Capitol is not Trump's only legal problem.

For the first time in America's 247-year history, an ex-president has been indicted.

On Tuesday, Trump had to appear in New York for the indictment, he is accused of paying hush money and falsifying business documents in 34 cases.

In addition to the storming of the Capitol, special counsel Smith is also dealing with secret documents that were found in Trump's luxury estate Mar-a-Lago in the state of Florida.

In the US state of Georgia, the judiciary is investigating Trump for interfering with the election, while in the US state of New York, prosecutors have charged Trump with fraud.

According to a recent survey, Trump is still the most popular politician among Republican supporters

(bme with material from dpa/AFP).

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2023-04-06

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