Washington, D.C. – Steve Bannon, a close associate of former President Donald Trump, has been ordered to report to prison by July 1 to serve a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection, according to a federal judge’s ruling on Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington approved the Justice Department’s request for Bannon to begin his prison term following a federal appeals court panel’s recent decision upholding his contempt of Congress conviction.
Bannon, known for his ties to the MAGA movement, has indicated plans to appeal the judge’s order, potentially delaying his surrender date. Despite facing legal challenges, Bannon remains defiant, stating that no prison or jail sentence will silence him.
Nearly two years ago, Bannon was convicted of two counts of contempt related to his refusal to cooperate with the congressional committee’s investigation into the Capitol insurrection and Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Despite initial leniency extended to Bannon by Judge Nichols, the recent appeals court ruling prompted a shift in perspective.
Bannon’s defense contends that he was in good-faith discussions with the committee and was following legal advice at the time of his alleged non-compliance. Nevertheless, prosecutors are confident in the likelihood of upholding Bannon’s conviction through further legal proceedings.
Notably, another Trump aide, Peter Navarro, also faced a similar contempt conviction and reported to prison earlier this year. Both Bannon and Navarro argued challenges related to executive privilege in their cases, which the courts have dismissed.
The House committee’s final report outlines Trump’s alleged involvement in a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, shedding light on the events leading up to the Capitol insurrection. Additionally, Bannon faces separate criminal charges in New York for his involvement in a fundraising scheme related to border wall construction.
As Bannon navigates legal battles on multiple fronts, the implications of his actions could have broader repercussions within the political landscape and ongoing investigations into the events of January 6.