As the January 6 Panel hearings continue to unfold, former Vice President Mike Pence said that he would consider testifying before the panel if he was asked. In more political news, Pence's former boss, Donald Trump, issued endorsements of two NY Democrats in their primary races, and the U.S. is working on a trade pact with Taiwan.

Closing Bell

Pence 'Would Consider Testifying' Before the Jan 6. Panel 

and let's turn to politics because this afternoon, a federal court issuing a ruling on whether to release the affidavit that led to his search of former President trump's residence at MAr a Lago last week. The hearing coming after numerous news organizations filed in court to try to get access to the document. The affidavit should contain details of the doJ investigation that led up to them deciding to raid MAr A Lago on monday last monday and after the hearing, Judge Bruce Reinhart, ordering the Justice Department to propose redactions that they feel would allow the affidavits released without jeopardizing their investigation. The doJ had asked the court not to release any of the affidavit, as they argue, it could compromise the investigation. But a filing with the court, they said it could quote, cause significant and irreparable damage. Unquote to an ongoing criminal investigation that involves materials at the highest level of government classification. The doj saying the affidavit contains highly sensitive information about witnesses in the investigation. They say even a partial copy of the affidavit would need to be so thoroughly redacted to protect the investigation as to render its release meaningless. So in disagreeing with the Doj filing, Judge Reinhardt saying it is very important for the public to have as much information about the search as possible, acknowledging that it was possible. The level of redactions required could turn the document into meaningless gibberish but said it was not up to him whether the parts that could be released to be meaningful to the public or the media, the doj has until next thursday to propose redactions at which time Judge Reinhardt will make a further ruling. But let's also talk this story. Former Vice President Mike Pence making headlines with comments on the house, january 6th select committee pen saying that he might be willing to testify. But there is a caveat cheddar news aerial Hickson has more from our D. C. Studio Donald Trump's former vice president. Mike Pence said that he would consider testifying before the January six Select House Committee if he were invited. This was all said during comments at a New Hampshire event. Take a listen if there was an invitation to participate, I would consider it. But you've heard me mention the constitution a few times this morning On the Constitution. We have three co equal branches of government and any invitation to be directed to me. I would have to reflect on the the unique role that I was serving in as vice president um be unprecedented in history for a vice president to be summoned to testify on capitol hill. But as I said, I don't want to prejudge pence. They're saying that it would be unprecedented for a vice president to testify on capitol hill. But presidents and vice presidents have done so in the past now you have to take a step back and look at history here the Select House committee back in june was really drilling the idea that Vice president mike Pence was in danger in jeopardy because of the fact that rioters were constantly chanting, hang mike Pence so to get him to testify and to get his witness account would be something that would be key for the development of the Select House committee and everything that has happened with january 6th. We also have to think that we have not gotten any tea or any insight from mike Pence in the past. So this is definitely a huge breakthrough when it comes to looking into what unfolded on january 6th. We also have to think about 2024 in the future Mike Pence, he stopped in new Hampshire to discuss the idea that he might be willing to testify with the select House committee. The idea as well that republicans should not go after the FBI. He's also expected to go to Iowa where he is going to uh talk to individuals at the Iowa state fair. Those are two states that are very much I'd and look at for republicans when they're starting that presidential campaign. So Mike Pence could have a little bit more up his sleeve, especially as we look into 2024. We also have to think that come september the select House committee is scheduled to have more hearings. So there's gonna be a lot of developments coming up in the next few months. All right. Thanks to aerial Hickson in D. C. For that report. Plus some other political stories were watching while the courtroom drama continues. Former President Donald trump waiting in the primary season again. But this time in an unexpected place. He's endorsed candidates in two Democratic contest in his former home state of new york. The president riding on a social media site that he endorsed Dan Goldman, the former impeachment prosecutor from his first Senate trial. And in the endorsement trump claiming to have Big Goldman badly in that trial but said he still had a bright future ahead of him trump also troll Ashley offering his support for powerful house democrat Carolyn maloney who's locked in a tight race with fellow committee chair jerry Nadler after redistricting put the democrat leaders in the same district. That's a big one. Well neither candidate seems thrilled by the endorsement Goldman calling it a quote pathetic attempt at fooling democrats who are far smarter than trump is end quote. And the US announcing further support for Taiwan as tensions remain high between the democratically elected government there and in mainland china today the U. S. Trade representative in Taiwan saying the U. S. Will start negotiations for a bilateral trade and investment initiative with the island nation this fall China claims Taiwan as part of its territory but it's had no control there since before World War Two china has been responding with hostility to Taiwanese displays of independence, especially those involving the United States. Their reaction to a visit from House speaker nancy Pelosi drawing and especially sharp rebuke from leaders in D. C. I spoke with foreign policy expert Ari RMS earlier this afternoon and he explained why this new show of U. S. Support for Taiwan is so vital with with with sort of long term chinese threats against Taiwanese uh territorial integrity and against Taiwanese independence and most importantly Taiwanese democracy. We have to make sure that Taiwan a has very reliable security and military allies that would be us, the Australians, the indians, the Japanese, the Koreans and the Vietnamese and the Indonesians and so on and so forth. But secondly to make sure that Taiwan is taking full advantage of all economic and trade pacts that we and other Western allies can offer. And in their statement making the announcement, the U. S. Trade representative also saying the two sides would work to respond to quote distorted practices the state owned enterprises and nonmarket policies and practices a clear reference to mainland china. As this effort to deepen ties will include a variety of industries like technology where Taiwan is a world leader in the production of semiconductors and agriculture