U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Denies Trump’s Appeal to Block Pence Testimony in Jan. 6 Investigation

A federal appeals court has ruled against former President Donald Trump’s attempt to block former Vice President Mike Pence from testifying before a federal grand jury. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington denied Trump’s appeal to block a lower court decision ordering Pence to testify.

The subpoena was issued by special counsel Jack Smith in February as federal prosecutors investigate the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Trump had argued that Pence’s testimony was protected by executive privilege, but the three-judge panel on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this claim.

Pence’s adviser had previously said that the former vice president would not appeal the order for his testimony. It is unclear when Pence may testify, but as of Wednesday night, no court orders were in place preventing him from answering questions.

The grand jury is investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 riot and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly claimed that the election was stolen from him.

The ruling is the latest development in the ongoing investigation into the events of Jan. 6. It remains to be seen what impact, if any, Pence’s testimony will have on the investigation.