January 6 hearings: Mike Pence’s positions on Capitol riots in spotlight

The January 6th Committee is set to conduct its third public hearing on Thursday and this time former US Vice President Mike Pence’s role will be discussed. The committee will also explore former President Donald Trump’s last-ditch effort to salvage the 2020 election by pressurising Pence to reject the vote certification.

The committee will also address the safety threats faced by the former Vice President. “Hang Mike Pence”, the crowd outside the US Capitol chanted on January 6 before the electoral college was certified by Congress. Nine deaths were reported in connection to the Capitol riots.

Also Read: How US Rep. Barry Loudermilk was linked to the US Capitol riots

The session is expected to show how Trump’s pressure on Pence “directly contributed” to the attack on the Capitol, according to AP reports citing an unnamed committee aide.

John Eastman, a Trump ally and a conservative lawyer, will also take the center stage. Eastman reportedly created the blueprint of Trump’s “rigged election” claims.

Who will testify at the third public hearing?

The committee will hear from Greg Jacob, the vice president’s counsel who fended off Eastman’s ideas for Pence to carry out the plan; and retired federal judge Michael Luttig, who called the plan from Eastman, his former law clerk, “incorrect at every turn.”

Also Read: How Liz Cheney, Republican party’s voice of reason, is fighting Trumpism

What was Pence’s experience like on the day of the riots?

Marc Short, the former chief of staff of Mike Pence, described the situation Pence was in on January 6 last year. “He knew his job was to stay at his post”, Short told CNN in a statement.

“He thought it was important that he stay there and make sure the work of the American people was completed that night,” said Short, who testified under subpoena to the committee for eight hours, but has not yet appeared as a live witness.