WASHINGTON – Special counsel Jack Smith has asked a federal judge to compel former Vice President Mike Pence to testify before a federal grand jury about the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, a senior law enforcement official said. confirmed to NBC News on Friday.
The motion was filed before US District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington and is sealed. This was first reported by CBS News. The judge will likely set dates for motions to be filed and possibly hear oral arguments.
NBC News reported this month that Smith had summoned Pence as part of the special counsel’s investigation on January 6. Former President Donald Trump’s legal team is fighting the summons.
Pence himself told reporters last week that he would contest the subpoena.
Pence said, “First let me be clear: I am going to fight the DOJ subpoena on Biden to appear before the grand jury because I believe it is unconstitutional and it is unprecedented.”
In December, NBC News reported that Smith had subpoenaed local officials in key presidential swing states for any and all communications involving Trump, his campaign and a range of allies and aides, who have supported their efforts to overturn the 2020 election. aided in the effort.
The move was a sign that Smith was investigating an alleged scheme involving bogus voters, a slate of individuals who signed documents purporting to be the correct voters of their states and declaring Trump victorious in those states.
