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US indicts Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress

November 12, 2021

Former US President Donald Trump's longtime adviser Steve Bannon was indicted Friday. A federal grand jury charged him for refusing to testify to the Congressional January 6th committee.

https://p.dw.com/p/42wmQ
Steve Bannon
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Drago

The US Department of Justice said Friday that it indicted Stephen Bannon on two counts of contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House of Representatives Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill attack.

Each count Bannon faces carries a potential sentence of 30 days to one year in prison.

He was subpoenaed on September 23 after the committee determined he was likely to have information regarding links between the White House and the Donald Trump supporters who invaded the Capitol.

"Steve Bannon's indictment should send a clear message to anyone who thinks they can ignore the Select Committee or try to stonewall our investigation: no one is above the law," said committee Chair Bennie Thompson and Vice Chair Liz Cheney in a statement.

Bannon reportedly plans to turn himself in to the Justice Department on Monday.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland said Friday's indictment reflected the Department of Justice's "steadfast commitment" to the rule of law.

A second witness, Mark Meadows, Trump's former chief of staff, defied a subpoena from the January 6 Select Committee on Friday. Committee Chair Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson said he would seek similar charges against Meadows.

Steve Bannon speaks to the media after his release from custody following his arrest aboard a luxury yacht in August of 2020
Steve Bannon spoke to the media iin August of 2020 following his arrest aboard a luxury yachtImage: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP/dpa/picture alliance

Over 30 people subpoenaed

The select committee subpoenaed over 30 individuals, including former White House staffers, Trump allies and people in organizing the January 6 rally on the mall. Several of those subpoenaed have come forward with documents to talk to the committee.

On Thursday, a federal appeals court halted the release of the White House records Trump seeks to keep secret from the January 6 select committee.

This is not the first time Bannon has faced legal peril. In August 2020, Bannon was arrested while on board a luxury yacht on charges of defrauding donors to a fundraiser that sought to pay for the border wall that Trump made a cornerstone of his presidential campaign and time in office. Trump later pardoned Bannon.

sri, ar/sms (AP, Reuters, AFP)