Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon convicted of contempt of US Congress
- Bannon was found guilty of two misdemeanour counts for defying a subpoena from the committee investigating last year’s January 6 attack on the US Capitol
- Each contempt of Congress count is punishable by 30 days to one year behind bars, as well as a fine of US$100 to US$100,000
Steve Bannon, a long-time ally of former US President Donald Trump and an influential figure on the American right, was convicted on Friday of contempt of Congress for defying a congressional subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.
Bannon, 68, was convicted after a four-day trial in federal court on two counts: one for refusing to appear for a deposition and the other for refusing to provide documents in response to the committee’s subpoena. The jury of eight men and four women deliberated just under three hours.
He faces up to two years in federal prison when he is sentenced on October 21. Each count carries a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail, as well as a fine of US$100 to US$100,000.
David Schoen, one of Bannon’s lawyers said outside the courthouse the verdict would not stand. “This is round one,” Schoen said. “You will see this case reversed on appeal.”
Likewise, Bannon himself said, “We may have lost the battle here today; we’re not going to lose this war.”
He thanked the jurors for their service and said he had only one disappointment – “and that is the gutless members of that show trial committee, the January 6 committee didn’t have the guts to come down here and testify.”
Prosecutors were just as firm on the other side of the verdict.