LOWA: Mike Pence, the former vice president, declared on Wednesday that he would contest a subpoena issued by the special counsel in charge of the Trump investigations to compel his testimony before a grand jury, taking the matter all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Investigations into attempts by former president Donald Trump and his allies to have the results of the 2020 election nullified are being conducted by special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed by the Justice Department.
In the days leading up to January 6, 2021, Trump exerted intense pressure on Pence to overturn the decision even though Pence lacked the authority to do so. On the day Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol in a violent protest, Pence was there presiding over a joint session of Congress.
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Pence told reporters in Iowa, which will host the first contest of the 2024 nomination process, "Let me first be clear: I'm going to fight the Biden DOJ subpoena for me to appear before the grand jury because I believe it's unconstitutional and it's unprecedented.
"A vice president has never before in American history been called to court to testify against the president with whom they serve," he said. To the United States Supreme Court, if necessary, Pence said he was ready to take the case "as far as it needs to go."
Pence, who has been laying the groundwork for what is likely to be a presidential run, has adopted an aggressive stance. Although it is still unknown whether Pence will be able to delay or restrict the subject matter of his testimony, the stance gives the former vice president a fresh opportunity to criticise the Justice Department, which has come under increasing fire from conservatives due in part to Trump's relentless attacks. Indeed, Pence bemoaned a "two-tiered justice system that Republicans have been dealing with throughout the Biden administration" while repeatedly criticising the department on Wednesday.
Pence was prepared to challenge Smith's request for his appearance on constitutional grounds, according to previous reports from the Associated Press. He contends that the "speech or debate" clause of the Constitution protects him from being compelled to give a testimony because on January 6, he was acting in his capacity as the Senate's president. The purpose of that clause is to shield Congressmen from being questioned about formal legislative actions.
Smith's spokesman declined to comment. The Justice Department is anticipated to oppose Pence's efforts and argue that his cooperation is necessary. The department had previously declined to comment on Pence's subpoena.
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During a previous stop in Minneapolis, Pence noted that he had written and spoken extensively about Trump's attempts to put pressure on him to annul the election results—something he lacked the authority to do—and that he had repeatedly called Trump's actions "reckless" and "dangerous."
"I have nothing to hide, and I'm happy with the results of our efforts. However, in my opinion, now is the time to declare your position, and I declare my support for the US Constitution.
He continued by saying that he anticipates Trump will try to use executive privilege to prevent his own testimony. "I'm not fighting that. The separation of powers is my battleground, Pence declared.
After hosting rallies in Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids to bring together conservative parents opposed to transgender-affirming practises in public schools, Pence made his remarks. The incidents occurred right before a federal appeals court was scheduled to hear oral arguments in a case brought last summer by a national organisation on behalf of parents of students in the Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa, not far from Cedar Rapids, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
A policy that the school board adopted last year allowing transgender students to request a gender support plan to start socially transitioning at school without their parents' consent is being challenged by Parents Defending Education. Amicus briefs have been submitted in the case by dozens of primarily conservative organisations as well as several conservative states, including Pence's advocacy group, Advancing American Freedom.
In Minneapolis, Pence argued that parents must be informed of such decisions. He claimed that across the nation, parents' rights are being violated by a politically correct nanny state that is ruining our schools and telling our parents they have no role in their children's most important decisions. You cannot create a plan for my child's gender transition without my knowledge or permission, he said.
Pence has made several trips to leadoff Iowa since the 2020 election, despite his claim that he has not yet made a decision about 2024. His Wednesday event, which was held in a pizza restaurant where candidates frequently meet with voters, had the appearance and feel of a campaign stop.
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In a potentially crowded primary race that already features Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who officially launched her campaign on Wednesday, Pence is looking to win over social and religious conservatives. As Haley and other presidential contenders, such as South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, prepare for their own trips to the state this month, Pence's advocacy group launched a new campaign last week on the schools issue, a hot button issue for many on the right.