Pence leaves door open to testify in Trump election trial


Former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday that he had "no plans" to testify against his old boss, former President Donald Trump, but would do so if required.
Pence was asked during an interview on CBS News' "Face The Nation" if he would involve himself in the most recent indictment of Trump, who is facing federal charges for allegedly trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. When CBS's Major Garrett asked if Pence would testify against Trump at trial, Pence replied that he had "challenged in court the scope of any testimony that I could provide ... and I have no plans to testify."
The former vice president argued that, because of his prior position as president of the Senate, "the Constitution provides me with the protections that are afforded to members of Congress." However, Pence added that the American people "can be confident we'll obey the law. We'll respond to the call of the law, if it comes, and we'll just tell the truth," seemingly insinuating that he would testify against Trump if subpoenaed.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Pence has previously argued that his vice presidency precluded him from providing testimony against Trump, after he was subpoenaed earlier this year by the federal grand jury investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, a judge eventually ruled that Pence's conversations with Trump were not covered by executive privilege. Pence declined to appeal that ruling, and gave testimony to the grand jury earlier this year.
The former vice president has gone back and forth since leaving office about his feelings on Trump, but has begun using stronger language about his attempts to overturn the election. "Trump was wrong. He was wrong then. He's wrong now," Pence said. "Trump asked me to put him over the Constitution that day, but I chose the Constitution."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?
Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats
-
Supreme Court rules for Fed’s Cook in Trump feud
Speed Read Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her role following Trump’s attempts to oust her
-
‘This isn’t just semantics’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Miami Freedom Tower’s MAGA library squeeze
THE EXPLAINER Plans to place Donald Trump’s presidential library next to an iconic symbol of Florida’s Cuban immigrant community has South Florida divided
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US