Pence slammed for not briefing legal authorities regarding Jan. 6

Mike Pence is planning on challenging a subpoena from special counsel Jack Smith, NBC News reports, by invoking the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution that protects legislators from outside scrutiny. Joy Reid and her panel discuss.

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#msnbc #mikepence #january6

[DRKrust]

Odd how the 'Party of Law and Order' won't comply with subpoenas.

[ClassicPianoGurl]

Has no one told him that this "Speech and Debate" excuse did't work for Lindsey Graham who actually IS a Senator.

[rjunehwb]

Pence has an opportunity to show courage and patriotism, set a good example, and act like a person who deserved to ser the people of the US. Choosing not to testify looks as though he has more to hide than failing to call the authorities instead of Dan Quail for advice about the scope of his authority on Jan. 6.

[kitzykatz]

Didn't Lindsey Graham try the same thing? Didn't work out for him, either.

[brendenosullivan]

The fact pence doesn't want to testify would make trump right about not having the courage to do the right thing

[suomynona]

The clause states the exceptions "treason, felony, and breach of the peace". What he witnessed fits all three. Those exceptions go hand in hand with the crime-fraud exception. No clause or privilege applies to plots of murderous sedition. His oath and the law require reporting it.

[kathrynreinsma]

Uphold democracy? Doesn’t he claim to be a Christian?

[micky]

He definitely has many things to hide. Who is he kidding. 😳

[kathrynanneperry]

Gotta give it to Pence. It's not often both democrats and republicans dislike a politician.

[wjsuno]

you can't be a member of the executive branch and the legislative branch at the same time.

[smiron]

If Pence wants to be a President than he should be fighting for it. Pence claimed that he his a Christian than what does his family think of what he doing to himself, he's not above the law. I think he should do the right thing for the Country.

[kossend]

If he's claiming that he was a Senator at the time, can the Senate not sanction him now for abuse of office and/or refusing to comply with a valid subpoena as a part of his duties as a Senator?

[kathrynreinsma]

Sure makes him seem guilty of something.

[jawstrock]

Why is he acting like he's the target of the investigation?

[kayalcorn]

Pence knew plenty about what was to come, thus not wanting to testify.

[longskyhook]

The speech & debate clause sure didn't get in the way of discussing & profiting from a book deal.

[asdfasdf-wdju]

This man shelters wrongdoers. Why give him another opportunity to do this as president? Many things went terribly wrong during the last administration. He doesn't even care enough to help guard against it happening again. What did he say? "Congress doesn't deserve my testimony"? That sounds very arrogant. Who does he think he is? I am very disappointed in him. He would never get my vote.

[AndyM_YYY]

If Pence is going to follow the code of Omerta that makes him an accomplice not a victim.

[TheChonaman]

Pence is a massive hypocrite. He took the oath of office. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God." He has fallen on his sword for the Trump party and is willing to pervert his oath to God and Country. He must not be forgiven for this. God will be his judge in the end.

[Pedro-xops]

Pence is just admitting to something we always KNEW; 'That he's a coward!!!'