US Capitol Riot Special Committee Moves to Investigate Former Vice President Pence

Thomson Special Committee Chair, "Requests Meeting with Committee Members This Month"
Uncertain if Former Vice President Pence Will Cooperate

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] The U.S. House of Representatives' January 6th Capitol Riot Investigation Select Committee is pushing to investigate former Vice President Mike Pence.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to NBC News on the 8th (local time), Benny Thompson, chairman of the special committee, stated in an interview with NPR, a U.S. public radio station, the previous day that they will request Pence, who was vice president during former President Donald Trump's administration, to meet with committee members sometime this month.

Chairman Thompson said, "I expect that to happen before the end of this month. The committee needs to hear his perspective on what happened on January 6th."

Former Vice President Pence convened the joint session of the Senate and House on the day of the January 6th Capitol riot to certify President Joe Biden's election victory. Former President Trump demanded during that session that Pence not certify Biden's win and overturn the results, but Pence refused.

In response, former President Trump expressed dissatisfaction, saying Pence made a big mistake. Some pro-Trump rioters also shouted chilling slogans such as "Hang Mike Pence" while rampaging through the Capitol.

Aide to the committee indicated that Chairman Thompson's remarks suggest the committee is considering issuing a subpoena to former Vice President Pence this month.

NBC reported, "If Pence testifies, it could provide valuable information about the conversations inside the Trump White House that led to the Capitol attack."

The committee revealed that some of Pence's aides, including Mark Short, who was Pence's chief of staff, are cooperating with the committee.

Regarding this, Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger, a member of the committee, said that while the cooperation of Pence's aides is helpful, he expressed a negative view on whether Pence, who has remained silent so far, will cooperate with the committee.

Representative Kinzinger said, "It would not be surprising if former Vice President Pence does not want to cooperate," adding that it is unclear whether Chairman Thompson's remarks refer to issuing a subpoena, written responses, or voluntary testimony, but "we want to hear from him."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.