Former Vice President Mike Pence has stated that he would comply with the law if he were compelled to testify in former President Donald Trump’s trial regarding the 2020 election case. In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union,” Pence made it clear that while he has no plans to testify, he would always comply with the law if required. He also mentioned that he was uncertain about the path of the indictment.
Pence emphasized that the president is entitled to a presumption of innocence and the right to make his defense in court. He pointed out that there are profound issues related to the First Amendment and freedom of speech that need to be considered. Pence expressed confidence that Trump and his lawyer would address those issues during the legal process.
In February, Pence was subpoenaed by the special counsel to testify before the federal grand jury. After some legal challenges, he testified in April. Meanwhile, Trump recently pleaded not guilty in a Washington, DC, courthouse to four criminal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States. These charges are connected to the investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith into attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
The federal judge presiding over the case intends to set a trial date during the next hearing on August 28. Pence, in an interview with CBS News, reiterated his commitment to responding to the call of the law and telling the truth if called as a witness.
During his CNN interview, Pence maintained that Trump was mistaken in his belief that as vice president presiding over Congress’ count of the Electoral College vote, he had the authority to reject the election result. Pence affirmed his dedication to upholding his oath to the Constitution and stated that he is running for president because he believes anyone who prioritizes themselves over the Constitution should not hold the highest office in the country.
In response to Pence’s remarks, Trump took to Truth Social, his new social media platform, claiming that he never instructed Pence to put him above the Constitution and calling the former vice president “delusional.”
As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen if Pence will be called upon to testify in Trump’s trial. Regardless, Pence has made it clear that he will adhere to the law and uphold his commitment to the Constitution.