A panel of 12 jurors started deliberations Friday to determine whether former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is guilty of contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena from the January 6 committee, with a guilty verdict appearing likely after Bannon’s attorneys chose not to call any witnesses in his defense.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Gaston said in her closing argument Friday that Bannon “chose allegiance to Donald Trump over compliance with the law,” stating the case against Bannon is cut and dried, according to multiple reports.
Bannon did not comply with a subpoena issued in September by the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, repeatedly saying he could not testify because his conversations with former President Donald Trump are protected by executive privilege.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols did not allow Bannon’s lawyers to use the executive privilege claim in his defense, ruling the assertion has no legal basis.
Evan Corcoran, Bannon’s attorney, instead argued the October deadlines on the subpoena weren’t official since he claimed there was an “ongoing negotiation” about the date Bannon had to comply with the subpoena—the committee has not indicated any talks of that nature took place.
Corcoran also reportedly suggested at one point the signature of Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), the committee’s chairman, may have been forged on the subpoena—another claim there isn’t evidence for.
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
