Mike Pence testifies before grand jury probing Donald Trump bid to overturn election loss
- The former US vice-president’s appearance is likely to give prosecutors a first-person account about conversations held before the deadly January 6 Capitol riot
- The testimony comes hours after a federal appeal court rejected a bid by Trump’s lawyers to block Pence from testifying
Former US vice-president Mike Pence testified on Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating efforts by then President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The person requested anonymity to discuss the private appearance before the grand jury.
Pence’s appearance before a grand jury in Washington scrutinising the president he once loyally served is a milestone in the Justice Department’s investigation and is likely to give prosecutors a key first-person account about certain conversations and events in the weeks preceding the deadly January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol.
It also carries significant political implications, coming as Pence hints at entering the 2024 presidential race and a potential run against Trump, the Republican front-runner.
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The testimony came hours after a federal appeal court in a sealed order rejected a bid by Trump’s lawyers to block Pence’s appearance.