Ex-US Vice President Mike Pence says he would 'consider' testifying before Jan 6 panel

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Former Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that he would consider testifying before a US House of Representatives committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

Pence told a "Politics & Eggs" breakfast gathering in the state of New Hampshire that if the panel were to invite him to testify "I would consider it."

"Under the Constitution, we have three co-equal branches of government, and any invitation to be directed to me, I would have to reflect on the unique role I was serving in as vice president," he said during a question and answer session.

"It would be unprecedented in history for a vice president to be summoned to testify on Capitol Hill. But, as I said, I don't want to pre-judge, so if ever any formal invitation is rendered to us, we would give it due consideration. But my first obligation is to continue to hold my oath," he added.

Pence's answer marks his latest break with former President Donald Trump who has castigated the House special committee, calling it another "witch hunt" against him.

The panel laid out in stark detail how Trump attempted to pressure Pence into overturning the results of the 2020 election, which Trump lost by 7 million votes. Pence refused Trump's efforts and came within 40 feet of the former commander-in-chief's supporters as they stormed the Capitol building in a failed effort to prevent then President-elect Joe Biden from taking office.

Some of the rioters talked of killing Pence, chanting "hang Mike Pence" as they erected a gallows outside of the federal legislature.

The committee has not yet invited Pence to testify, though two of his top aides have spoken with the panel, including former counsel Greg Jacob.

To date, more than 850 people have been arrested across the US for their roles in the Capitol riots, including more than 260 who were charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers.​​​​​​​