Former Vice President Mike Pence has been ordered by a federal judge to comply with a grand jury subpoena and testify in the investigation into Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump had argued executive privilege, but the judge's ruling shut down this argument. Pence was partially successful in his argument that he was shielded from testifying about Jan. 6 due to his constitutional role as part of the legislative branch. This ruling could have implications for other members of the Trump administration who may be called to testify in the investigation.
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to travel to Jerusalem next month to deliver a keynote address at the Museum of Tolerance, providing him with an opportunity to demonstrate his support for Israel and its people. The trip comes at a time of rising tension between the United States and Israel, and could help DeSantis to further develop his foreign policy credentials as a potential 2024 presidential candidate. The Governor's address is likely to be closely watched for any indication of his views on the current situation.
A federal judge has ruled that former Vice President Mike Pence must testify before a grand jury in the Justice Department's investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Pence will not have to answer questions about his actions on Jan. 6, when a mob of Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol, but he will have to testify about other matters. The subpoena for Pence's testimony was issued by special counsel Jack Smith in February, but it is unclear when he will be required to testify.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has called on President Biden to hold talks over a deal to raise the debt ceiling, warning that the US could default on its debt as early as July. McCarthy has proposed limiting government spending and reducing the national debt to grow the economy, and urged the president to act quickly to avoid a financial crisis and recession. The White House has said it is open to negotiations, but has not yet responded to McCarthy's letter.
Rear Admiral Barry Black (Ret.), the Senate chaplain, opened the legislative session with a powerful prayer for lawmakers to take action in the wake of the recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. He urged them to reject “the paralysis of analysis” and move beyond “thoughts and prayers” to make a difference. Black invoked the words of Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing,” as a reminder of the urgent need for gun control legislation.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee has issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken for sensitive cables from the U.S. embassy in Kabul. The subpoena, signed by Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul, requests an internal dissent cable written by 23 State Department employees in Afghanistan. The document is seen as a vital piece of information as the committee investigates the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Biden administration is facing criticism from both sides of the aisle. The State Department has yet to comment on the subpoena.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who represents the district where a school shooting occurred on Monday, faced criticism after a 2021 photo resurfaced showing him and his family posing with firearms in front of their Christmas tree. Ogles released a statement offering “thoughts and prayers” to the victims’ families, but gun control advocates and Democrats argued that the post was insensitive and called for stricter gun control measures. Ogles has yet to respond to the criticism, but has previously expressed support for gun rights.
Chris Christie, former New Jersey Governor, suggested that the only way to defeat Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican presidential nomination is to have a candidate who can challenge him on the debate stage like Christie did to Marco Rubio in 2016. Christie recalled the moment fondly, noting that it had "stopped the momentum" of Rubio's campaign. Trump is reportedly considering another run for the nomination and is still a powerful force in the Republican party.