Top Trump ally and onetime chief White House strategist Steve Bannon has been found guilty of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena to appear before the Jan. 6 Committee.
Bannon faces a minimum of 30 days behind bars.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon convicted of contempt of Congress over Jan. 6 subpoena, faces possible prison time.
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CNN further reports:
The conviction is a boost for the House Jan. 6 Committee’s investigation and the congressional power to subpoena documents and testimony. It is also a victory for the Justice Department, which is under intense scrutiny for its approach to matters related to the Jan. 6 attack.
After two days of hearing evidence and witness testimony, the jury reached a unanimous verdict in less than three hours.
Bannon didn’t testify in his defense. Only two government witnesses took the stand during the trial. In closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston said, “The defendant chose allegiance to Donald Trump over compliance with the law.”
NPR adds:
Bannon had broadcast his defiance on the social media site Gettr, prosecutors said, posting that he told lawmakers he would “NOT comply” on Oct. 8, 2021, after the first committee deadline had passed.
The chief government witness, Kristin Amerling of the Jan. 6 committee, told jurors the panel wanted to know more about Bannon’s contacts with former President Trump, his presence with others at the Willard Hotel in early 2021, and his statement on the War Room podcast that “all hell is going to break loose” a day before the Capitol siege.
This article originally appeared in American Liberty News. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of The Republican Standard. Republished with permission.