Mike Pence Says He Will Not Testify Before Jan. 6 Committee In New Interview

Topline

Former Vice President Mike Pence said in an interview with CBS News that he will not testify before the House January 6 committee, slamming its investigation as “partisan” in his strongest public comments criticizing the panel.

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, in … [+] Washington, on October 19, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Key Facts

CBS News tweeted a segment of the interview Tuesday in which Pence said he’s “closing the door” on speaking before the committee.

Pence said in August he “would consider” testifying if asked to do so, while Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the committee’s vice chairwoman, said the panel had held “discussions” with Pence’s legal team about calling him to testify.

Pence in the CBS News interview strongly distanced himself from the committee’s investigation, despite his falling-out with former President Donald Trump being a central focus of the panel’s public hearings, calling it “inconceivable” for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to unilaterally appoint all nine committee members.

Pence suggested his recently published book, So Help Me God, contains his complete account of what happened on January 6, saying, “I shared my heart and I shared my story in this book.”

Crucial Quote

“Congress has no right to my testimony,” Pence said.

Surprising Fact

Some members of Pence’s senior staff while he was vice president, including chief of staff Marc Short and legal counsel Greg Jacob, testified before the committee.

Key Background

Pence has been making the rounds for interviews over the past few days to promote his book, which was released Tuesday. He has also strongly hinted at a 2024 Republican presidential run, telling ABC’s World News Tonight he’s giving “prayerful consideration” to a bid. A run would see Pence square off against Trump, who he told ABC “endangered me and my family” by criticizing him in a tweet as a mob ransacked the Capitol on January 6. Members of the January 6 committee spoke glowingly about Pence’s actions during the day of the riot, portraying him as a heroic figure who was committed to certifying President Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election even in the face of a mob threatening to lynch him.

Chief Critic

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a member of the January 6 committee, fired back at Pence on Tuesday, telling CNN it’s “completely unacceptable” for the former vice president to suggest the committee doesn’t have a right to speak with him.