Let’s talk about why Mike Pence’s justifications for not testifying in front of the January 6th Committee are so bad.🧵
Pence told CBS that “the partisan nature of the January 6 committee has been a disappointment.”
The committee isn’t partisan. In addition to including 2 Republican members, the committee publicly presented testimony from more than 50 Republicans.
The committee isn’t partisan. In addition to including 2 Republican members, the committee publicly presented testimony from more than 50 Republicans.
Pence also said that “summoning a vice president to speak about deliberations that took place at the White House” would violate the separation of powers between Congress and the White House.
Four sitting vice presidents or presidents have testified before Congress in the past.
Four sitting vice presidents or presidents have testified before Congress in the past.
For example, President Gerald Ford voluntarily appeared before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice to explain the reasons behind his pardon of former president Richard Nixon.
Pence expressed concern that testifying would “erode the dynamic of the office of president and vice president.”
Far more concerning is that he won’t testify to how the dynamic between president and VP might be eroded by a president assembling a mob that wants to kill the VP.
Far more concerning is that he won’t testify to how the dynamic between president and VP might be eroded by a president assembling a mob that wants to kill the VP.
Mike Pence undeniably showed courage by refusing to bow to Trump’s pressure and ensuring the peaceful transfer of power. But by refusing to testify, he is leaving significant gaps in our understanding of January 6th and our ability to prevent another insurrection.
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