Steve Bannon cuts deal with Mueller, agreeing to be interviewed so he can avoid Russia grand jury
Bannon has cited executive privilege to avoid testifying to a separate House investigation – but insiders say he doesn’t plan to do the same when he sits down with Mueller
Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has struck a deal to be interviewed by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team rather than appearing before a grand jury, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing sources close to Bannon.
That came the day after it emerged that Bannon had avoided questioning in another Russia investigation by citing executive privilege – reportedly at the request of the White House.
Bannon had been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury in Mueller’s probe, which is investigating whether President Donald Trump’s campaign was linked to alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, according to a person familiar with the matter.
This was effectively a gag order by the White House … this obviously can’t stand
A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment on the CNN report. A lawyer who represented Bannon in an appearance before the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee on Tuesday could not be immediately reached.
Bannon was a close adviser during Trump’s campaign and in his first months in office, but he was fired from his White House job in August as the president sought to bring more order to his staff operations.
Mueller is investigating allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 campaign to try to tip the vote in Trump’s favour, as well as any potential collusion by Trump’s campaign with Moscow.
Russia denies any attempt to interfere and Trump has denied any collusion.