Former Vice President Mike Pence has announced that he will not be taking the time to appeal the order from a federal court that will force him to stand before a grand jury and testify for the investigation into the actions of former President Donald Trump over the course of the weeks that led up to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
"Vice President Pence will not appeal the Judge’s ruling and will comply with the subpoena as required by law," explained spokesman Devin O'Malley as part of a statement issued to Politico.
Late last month, Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg issued a ruling that demanded that the former vice president must go along with a grand jury subpoena that was issued by the investigation's special counsel Jack Smith.
At first, Pence tried to challenge the subpoena, making the argument that his role as president of the Senate caused issues with his testimony due to how the Constitution makes his position "a hybrid creature of the executive and legislative branch," explained Politico in a report.
As stated in the "speech or debate" clause, Pence, as part of his role to officially certify the electoral votes of any presidential election, is given total immunity from criminal prosecutions or civil suits that stem from acts taken within the legislative sphere and official responsibilities.
One attorney working for Pnece reportedly claims that the clause worked to build a shield against being forced to testify about anything in relation to his role in the event that took place on January 6. Despite the claims, U.S. News reported that the ruling from the judge would supersede and still require Pence to directly answer questions about any illegal acts by Trump.
O'Malley claimed as part of a statement that the principle finally prevailed in the court's announcement.
"In the Court’s decision, that principle prevailed," expressed O'Malley. "The Court’s landmark and historic ruling affirmed for the first time in history that the Speech or Debate Clause extends to the Vice President of the United States."
Trump has not stated whether or not he will appeal the ruling himself, although the team for the former president has made the argument that his executive privilege blocks a few presidential conversations from disclosure to the public.