Trump ally Steve Bannon sentenced to 4 months for contempt
October 21, 2022
The longtime ally of former US President Donald Trump had defied a subpoena from a congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Bannon appeared in the courtroom dressed in his trademark multiple layered collared shirtsImage: Nathan Howard/AP Photo/picture alliance
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A US federal judge on Friday sentenced Steve Bannon to four months in prison and ordered him to pay $6,500 (€6,640) for contempt.
Donald Trump's former adviser was convicted of two counts of contempt — for refusing to testify and provide documents to the congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
Protesters outside the courthouse in Washington greeted Bannon, a figurehead among the US far-right, with chants saying, "Traitor!" and "Fascist!"
What happened in court?
Before handing the sentence, Judge Carl Nichols asserted that the offense is subject to a minimum of one-month imprisonment.
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Bannon will not have to serve his sentence right away, as the judge allowed him to remain free pending appeal.
The US Department of Justice had recommended Bannon be sentenced to six months in prison and fined $200,000 for his "sustained, bad-faith contempt of Congress."
"The rioters who overran the Capitol on January 6 did not just attack a building — they assaulted the rule of law upon which this country was built and through which it endures," the department told the court in its sentencing memo.
"By flouting the Select Committee's subpoena and its authority, the defendant exacerbated that assault."
The defense tried to argue that Bannon was being prosecuted for political motives.
Bannon himself did not speak during the sentencing hearing. But before walking in the courtroom he struck a defiant tone, telling reporters, "Remember, this illegitimate regime, their judgment day is on [November 8]," in reference to the coming midterm election.
Why was Bannon asked to testify in the January 6 probe?
Bannon, 68, was one of the masterminds behind Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, and went on to serve as the president's chief White House strategist in 2017.
The House committee investigating the Capitol attack had issued a subpoena for any documents related to Trump or his allies such as Rudy Giuliani, or extremist far-right groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
Bannon, who had been serving in an unofficial capacity at the time of the attack, tried to dodge the subpoena, claiming that he was under the protection of Trump's executive privilege.
"He chose to hide behind fabricated claims of executive privilege and advice of counsel to thumb his nose at Congress,'' said prosecutor J.P. Cooney.
"Your honor, the defendant is not above the law and that is exactly what makes this case important,'' Cooney said. "It must be made clear to the public, to the citizens, that no one is above the law."
fb/wd (AFP, AP, Reuters)
Looking back at the US Capitol riot
On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol, refusing to accept the confirmation of Joe Biden's election as president. Investigations into the riot are ongoing.
Image: Allison Bailey/NurPhoto/picture alliance
Pro-Trump crowd gathers outside US Capitol
On January 6, thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump flocked to the US Capitol, waving flags and claiming the election had been stolen from their political idol. Later, some 800 protesters stormed the iconic building, hunting down lawmakers, beating up police officers and leaving a trail of destruction. Five people died in connection with the riot and dozens were injured.
Image: Leah Millis/REUTERS
Trump remains defiant
Many observers later said the riot marked an attempt to overthrow the government, instigated or orchestrated by the former president. A select committee of the US House of Representatives has begun investigating the events, and Trump's possible role in them. For his part, Trump has claimed there was "love in the air" on January 6.
Image: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo/picture alliance
Legitimate protests?
The Capitol riot sparked global outrage. Many Republicans still, however, say the incident was a legitimate means of protest against what they claim was a rigged election. Some Republicans have even staged rallies outside US prisons in support of jailed rioters. The exact interpretation of the January 6 events will certainly have a big impact on the US midterm elections in November 2022.
Image: Brent Stirton/Getty Images
More than 700 charged
Hundreds of individuals are facing prosecution over their role in the January 6 attack. So far, over 50 people have been sentenced for their actions on that day. Many left a slew of evidence on social media, boasting of their crimes, which has helped in handing down convictions. Defendants willing to plead guilty can hope to receive a reduced sentence.
Image: Brent Stirton/Getty Images
Proud Boys under growing scrutiny
The city of Washington, D.C, is suing members of the right-wing extremist group Proud Boys, loyal Trump supporters, to recoup damages for the Capitol attack. Authorities have accused the group's leaders of having conspired "to terrorize the District of Columbia" in "a coordinated act of domestic terrorism." Criminal charges have already been brought against several Proud Boys members.
Image: Alex Edelman/AFP/Getty Images
Panel probes role of firebrand radio host
Radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is considered a key instigator of the Capitol riot. He drummed up support for the pro-Trump march in Washington, calling for a million people to turn up and protest against allegedly corrupt Democratic Party. The congressional panel investigating the events of January 6 has found Jones helped finance the rally.
Image: Jon Cherry/Getty Images
Jacob Chansley, 'QAnon Shaman,' jailed
Images of Jacob Chansley, a topless, tattooed rioter wearing a striking, horned headdress, went around the globe. He soon became a symbol of the January 6 attack. Now, the self-proclaimed "QAnon Shaman" and conspiracy theorist from Phoenix, Arizona, has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Police officers traumatized
Capitol Police officer Aquilino Gonell broke down as he rewatched footage of the deadly riot during a hearing of the congressional panel investigating the attack in July. That day, Gonell recalls, he thought "this is how I'm going to die, defending this entrance." One of Gonell's fellow police officers was killed in the Capitol riot, and four others committed suicide in the months that followed.
Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Security failures led to Capitol storming
The reason die-hard Trump supporters managed to force their way into the Capitol is that US security agencies were unprepared. The US Senate found that despite warning signs of a potential attack, the police leadership failed to act: National Guard reinforcements were called in too late, and the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security downplayed the threat of violence.
Image: Al Drago/Getty Images
Is a Trump comeback possible?
Many political analysts predict Donald Trump will run again in the 2024 presidential election. While his supporters would be elated, critics would surely regard this as a nightmare come true. Until now, Trump has weathered practically all political scandals — not even his role in the January 6 Capitol attack seems to have undermined a potential comeback.
