Steve Bannon, a symbol of the far-right, began his four-month prison sentence July 1. He was sentenced to prison for defying a subpoena from Congress to participate in a Congressional investigation of the January 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol.
Claims of Support
He claims that he maintains the support of former President Donald Trump and continues to rail against Democrats for persecuting him.
Public Statement
Bannon said, “I am proud of going to prison….and standing up to the Garland corrupt DOJ.”
Press Conference
Before surrendering to the Bureau of Prisons, Bannon and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia held a press conference outside the prison, cheered on by supporters. The supporters in the crowd chanted, “USA!”
Lengthy Legal Process
Bannon’s prison term had been a long time coming since he was sentenced nearly two years ago. In the meantime, Bannon appealed his case until an appeals court panel upheld his contempt for Congress conviction and a judge ordered him to report to prison to serve his sentence.
Appeal to the Supreme Court
Last week, Bannon appealed to the Supreme Court to delay the start of his sentence while continuing to appeal his conviction. The court rejected his appeal, as they had similarly done to another Trump aide, Peter Navarro.
Initial Legal Troubles
Bannon’s initial legal troubles began when he was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for his refusal to participate in a deposition for the January 6 House Committee.
Second Conviction
A second conviction was for refusing to participate in an investigation related to Trump’s actions to overturn the election results of 2020.
Defense Argument
Bannon’s defense argument rested on claims that his attorneys say must be addressed by the Supreme Court, including Bannon’s claim that the Congressional subpoena was invalid due to Trump’s alleged assertion of executive privilege. Trump previously pardoned Bannon before leaving office on other charges relating to campaign finance.
Prosecutors’ Claims
Prosecutors claim that Trump did not invoke executive privilege before the Committee and that Bannon had not worked at the White House for several years prior to the Committee hearing.
Support from Republicans
Bannon’s supporters among Republican Members of Congress have asserted that the January 6 Committee was not properly established and, therefore, the subpoena from the Committee was also invalid.
Location of Incarceration
Bannon was sentenced to attend the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.
Self-Proclaimed Political Prisoner
Bannon is acting the part of a self-proclaimed “political prisoner.”
Comparison to Peter Navarro
Peter Navarro, another former Trump aide, has also been sentenced to four months in prison, like Bannon. He began serving his sentence in March. Like with Bannon, the Supreme Court refused to intervene.
