Former US Vice President Mike Pence testified Thursday before a grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The testimony came hours after a federal court rejected another attempt by Trump’s lawyers to block Pence’s appearance before the jury. AP writes. The testimony is said to have lasted for seven hours. Details of what Pence told the federal grand jury are not clear, but the appearance represents a milestone in the Justice Department’s investigation. It could give prosecutors an important account from a first-hand witness about the conversations and events leading up to the storming of the US Congress on January 6, 2021. Trump tried to block Pence’s subpoena as a witness earlier this year, which was directly appealed by Trump’s lawyers. Pence himself has previously stated that he does not intend to testify, citing that the vice president’s role as president of the Senate gives him constitutional protection from testifying on certain legislative issues. In March, a judge announced that Pence must still testify. Not questioned about storming The judge, however, accepted the Pence side’s argument that, for constitutional reasons, the former vice president should not be questioned about his own actions on January 6, 2021. The appearance before the court could also have significant political implications, as Pence is one of the Republicans who possibly wants to be a presidential candidate. However, he has not launched a candidacy.
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