First Thing: Senate investigation into Brett Kavanaugh assault claims contained serious omissions
GuardianDec 27, 2022
The Facts
Former US Vice President Mike Pence testified in Washington, D.C. Thursday before a special grand jury as part of special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former Pres. Trump and his actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
The testimony came hours after a federal appeals court, in a sealed order, rejected Trump’s bid to prevent Pence’s appearance. Lawyers for both Trump and Pence challenged the subpoena for Pence’s testimony earlier this year.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Trump is in big trouble after failing to block Pence’s testimony before the Jan. 6 grand jury. Pence has already opened up about Trump’s plot to overturn the 2020 election, and now he will reveal much more under oath. Trump may be playing it cool regarding Pence’s testimony, but he should be very nervous.
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump is being unfairly targeted by the political establishment and the Biden administration, and Jack Smith's special counsel investigation is just another example. A weaponized judiciary is defying all the norms — which the media and Democrats pretended to hold so sacredly — and is forcing testimonies unconstitutionally and violating Trump’s rights. This investigation, like so many others, is a witch hunt.