Pence testifies before grand jury in special counsel investigation, report

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday appeared before a grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Pence's testimony came as part of special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Trump, Politico reported, citing "two people familiar with the matter." Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith to handle the DOJ's Trump-related matters, including his alleged mishandling of classified materials, following the Republican's announcement of his 2024 presidential campaign.

Of interest to Smith were efforts by Trump and his allies to pressure Pence into intervening in the electoral certification process. Trump had sought to block Pence's testimony, though a panel of judges on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied that request on Wednesday.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg in late March, issued a historic ruling by granting Pence a limited degree of immunity on the grounds that he had been presiding over Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, and therefore enjoyed certain protections in that capacity, Politico observed.

Pence declined acquiesce to Trump and intervene in the certification process. He has since found himself object of his former running mate's ire and struggled to retain clout in the Republican Party as he mulls a presidential bid of his own. He currently places third with 5.4% support in the RealClearPolitics polling average for the Republican primary despite not having officially declared his candidacy.

Only Trump himself and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis stand ahead of him.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.