Pence to fight special counsel subpoena on Trump's 2020 election denial - Politico

[February 14, 2023]  (Reuters) - Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is preparing to resist a grand jury subpoena for testimony about Donald Trump's push to overturn the 2020 election, Politico reported on Tuesday.   

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is interviewed by Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, in front of an audience at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, U.S., October 19, 2022. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

Pence and former national security adviser Robert O'Brien were subpoenaed by the special counsel leading investigations into classified documents found at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence and efforts to overturn the 2020 election result, according to media reports last week.

Pence will argue that his former role as president of the Senate - therefore a member of the legislative branch - shields him from certain Justice Department demands, Politico reported, citing two people familiar with his thinking.

Pence's decision to challenge Special Counsel Jack Smith's request has little to do with executive privilege, Politico added.

Pence's office could not immediately be reached outside regular business hours.

(Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Editing by Robert Birsel)

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