congressional immunity

Mr Pence's lawyers had also sought unsuccessfully to challenge the subpoena, arguing that his role as president of the Senate during his time in office meant he had congressional immunity.

Pence’s legal team had discussed potentially limited cooperation, arguing that while acting as president of the Senate during his time in office, he is entitled to congressional immunity under the Constitution’s “speech or debate clause,” and cannot be compelled to testify about matters related to his presiding over Congress.

Under the Constitution, Pence's role as vice president also made him the president of the Senate, entitling him to some measure of congressional immunity, Boasberg found.

They have jurisdiction over grand jury matters, mediating complex disputes regarding executive privilege, congressional immunity and attorney-client confidentiality while trying to maintain the court’s reputation as nonpartisan.

Legal analysts said the fight likely bears on not only what information is covered by congressional immunity but, importantly, who gets to decide and how.