Mike Pence must testify in Jan. 6 investigation

(Patria) - A federal judge has ruled that former US Vice President Mike Pence must testify before a grand jury about conversations he had with former President Donald Trump prior to the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, Reuters reported.

In a ruling that remains sealed, the judge also said Pence can still refuse to answer questions related to January 6, a source said, adding that Pence can appeal the ruling. The option of appeal is considered likely, the source said.

The source, confirming reports by CNN and NBC, said the judge's decision forces Trump's former vice president to appear before a federal grand jury, but protects him from testifying about January 6, 2021 itself.

Ahead of the January 6 events, Trump repeatedly criticized Pence publicly and privately for refusing to try to prevent Congress from confirming Biden's victory in the 2020 election. Representatives for Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the US Department of Justice's investigation into alleged efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn his 2020 election defeat, could not be immediately reached for comment, and Pence's representatives declined to comment.