Former White House adviser Stephen K. Bannon has been convicted of contempt charges in the January 6th case. He was ordered to produce documents and testimony to a House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The charges stem from Bannon’s refusal to comply with a subpoena and the law. The prosecutor said that Bannon chose his allegiance to President Donald Trump over complying with the law.
In court, Bannon pleaded not guilty. He said that he did not violate the rules of executive privilege, and that he thought the conversations he had with lawmakers were flexible. The defense team argued that Bannon’s statements were not in violation of any laws. The defense team argued that the conversation Bannon had with his former colleagues regarding the validity of executive privilege had continued and was thus legal.
The case rested last Wednesday, as the prosecution rested its case. The prosecution argued that Bannon was in contempt of Congress because he refused to comply with the subpoena to produce documents and testify. Bannon was warned that if he did not comply with the subpoena, he would face criminal charges. The prosecution’s arguments hinged on the fact that Bannon knowingly disobeyed the law and violated the intent of the subpoena.
During the trial, Bannon’s defense attorney, Evan Corcoran, argued that the subpoena was issued by the House committee, and Bannon did not intentionally disregard it. Bannon’s lawyer noted that the prosecutors and the government witness both belong to the same book club. However, this didn’t stop the prosecution from using this argument against Bannon.
Bannon will learn later this year the length of his sentence. Legal observers predict 30 or 60 days.
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