The Justice Division has reached out to talk with former Vice President Mike Pence within the division's ongoing investigation into the occasions surrounding Jan. 6 and alleged efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election, sources acquainted with the matter confirmed to CBS Information.
The previous vice chairman has acquired the request and is reviewing it, sources acquainted with the matter inform CBS Information.
The Justice Division declined to remark to CBS Information. A spokesman for Pence additionally declined to supply a remark.
The New York Instances was first to report on the Justice Division in search of to interview Pence.
Within the closing days of Trump's presidency, Pence endured intense strain from Trump, who urged him to unilaterally overturn the 2020 presidential election outcomes on Jan. 6, 2021, when Congress counted the electoral ballots, by refusing to affirm the ballots of battleground states that had voted for Joe Biden.
Pence in the end introduced Mr. Biden because the winner of the 2020 election at 3:40 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2021. Since then, he has not wavered in his perception that Mr. Biden received the election, regardless of Trump's refusal to acknowledge the election outcomes. Pence instructed "Face the Nation" final week that "Joe Biden was elected president of the US of America."
Final week, Legal professional Common Merrick Garland introduced particular counsel Jack Smith can be overseeing the important thing facets of the Justice Division's investigation into the Jan. 6 assault, in addition to the retention of nationwide protection info at Trump's residence at Mar-a-Lago
The Justice Division's felony investigation is separate from the one being carried out by a Home choose committee, which is able to sundown on the finish of 2022. Though Pence had as soon as mentioned he was open to chatting with the committee, he instructed "Face the Nation" final week that Congress has "no proper to my testimony."
The Home Jan. 6 committee in October subpoenaed Trump.
Trump has introduced he's operating for president in 2024. Whereas Pence has not made any bulletins, he has not dominated out a presidential run and he instructed "Face the Nation" final week that he thought there can be "higher selections" than Trump in 2024.
Robert Legare contributed reporting.