Pence may be called to appear before Capitol riots panel

The former US vice-president might be subpoenaed to appear at the January 6 congressional committee hearings, as new evidence will be heard this week.

Former US Vice President Mike Pence. Picture: AFP

Former US vice-president Mike Pence might be subpoenaed to appear at the January 6 congressional committee hearings, as new evidence into last year’s Capitol riots will be heard this week.

As the panel works to focus attention on what it says was an illegal scheme backed by Donald Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 elections, a new poll shows most Americans believe the former president should face charges.

In three earlier hearings, a series of Trump advisers were shown saying they had warned him of the illegality of trying to overturn Joe Biden’s victory by persuading Mr Pence to block a normally pro forma process.

Committee member Adam Schiff told CNN on Sunday that a subpoena for Mr Pence was “certainly a possibility”, adding, “we’re not excluding anyone or anything at this point”.

Mr Pence faced intense pressure from Mr Trump to break with history and refuse on January 6 to formally certify Mr Biden’s victory.

The committee would be keenly interested to hear from Mr Pence exactly what pressure Mr Trump placed on him in their private contacts. If Mr Pence is ultimately deposed, however, it could be weeks or months away.

AFP