Federal Appeals Court Upholds Steve Bannon’s Contempt of Congress Conviction

In a significant legal development, a federal appeals court has rejected Steve Bannon’s bid to overturn his conviction for contempt of Congress. Bannon, a former chief strategist to President Donald Trump, was convicted in 2022 for defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack.

Background

Bannon was found guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress after he refused to appear for a deposition and failed to provide documents requested by the House Select Committee. He was sentenced to four months in prison and fined $6,500. However, his sentence was stayed pending appeal.

Appeals Court Decision

On May 10, 2024, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit unanimously upheld Bannon’s conviction. The court rejected Bannon’s argument that he was acting on the advice of his attorney, stating that such a defense is not valid in cases of contempt of Congress. The judges emphasized that Bannon “knew what the subpoena required and intentionally did not respond.”

Subsequent Legal Developments

Following the appeals court’s decision, the Department of Justice requested the district court to lift the stay on Bannon’s sentence. On June 6, 2024, Judge Carl Nichols ordered Bannon to report to prison by July 1, 2024.

Bannon’s legal team filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to delay his imprisonment. However, on June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, and Bannon began serving his four-month sentence on July 1, 2024, at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.

Release and Ongoing Legal Matters

Bannon was released from prison on October 29, 2024. Upon his release, he resumed his political activities, including hosting his “War Room” podcast. Additionally, Bannon faces separate legal challenges in New York, where he has been charged with fraud related to a fundraising campaign for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Implications

The appeals court’s decision reinforces the authority of congressional subpoenas and underscores the legal obligations of individuals to comply with legislative investigations. Bannon’s case serves as a precedent for similar contempt charges and highlights the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law.