Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Donald Trump on politics, surrendered to the FBIMonday morning, after being charged by the Department of Justice with contempt of Congress last week.
Bannon — who served as a political adviser to Trump during his first year as presidentWho? took part in strategy sessions with Trump’s campaign team in early January — Refused to comply with subpoena requestsFrom the select committee investigating January 6th’s attack on the U.S. Capitol Building. In September, the panel directed Bannon to turn over documents and give closed-door testimony regarding the violent attack on the Capitol Building by a mob made up of Trump loyalists.
After the January 6 commission recommended Bannon be found in contempt of court, the House voted for the measure in its entirety. Friday The DOJ filed formal charges against him.
Attorney General Merrick Galrland stated that his department was taking great measures to ensure the charges were not politically motivated.
“Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law and pursues equal justice under the law,” Garland said in a statement.
The ex-Trump adviser appeared to be unaffected by the subpoena orders, recording a promotion on his radio show while he surrendered to the FBI.
“We’re taking down the Biden regime,” Bannon said in the recording.
Bannon faces a fine a year in jail for each of the two contempt charges he faces.
Even if Bannon’s defiance continues, his detainment by the FBI may encourage other former Trump advisers to comply with subpoena orders, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California), a member of the January 6 commission, said during a Sunday appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“Now that witnesses see that if they don’t cooperate, if they don’t fulfill their lawful duty when subpoenaed, that they too may be prosecuted, it will have a very strong focusing effect on their decision-making,” Schiff said. “So it’s very positive.”
Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows is one person who might change his mind. Meadows — who was originally cooperative after being subpoenaed in September — refused to testify on Friday, prompting January 6 commission chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) to threaten to issue contempt charges against him as well.
“Mr. Meadows’s actions today — choosing to defy the law — will force the Select Committee to consider pursuing contempt or other proceedings to enforce the subpoena,” Thompson said last week.
