Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Steve Bannon guilty of 2 accounts of contempt of Congress

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Jul 2022 23:11
4 Min Read

Former top Trump adviser Steve Bannon was convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 panel.

  • x
  • Steve Bannon guilty of contempt for defying Jan. 6 committee subpoena.
    Steve Bannon is guilty of contempt for defying Jan. 6 committee subpoena.

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon was found guilty of contempt of Congress on Friday after a brief trial that featured only two government witnesses who detailed the longtime Donald Trump aide's defiance of a House committee's demand for records and testimony in its investigation of the Capitol attack.

The federal court jury deliberated for less than three hours before reaching its decision, handing victories to the special House committee that initiated the contempt proceedings as well as the Justice Department's prosecution. Sentencing is set for October 21. 

Prosecutors urged conviction in closing arguments, claiming that Bannon "chose allegiance to Donald Trump" over an obligation to comply with Congress.

Read next: House January 6 panel subpoenas Secret Service for deleted texts

"The defendant made a deliberate decision not to comply," Assistant US Attorney Molly Gaston told jurors. "That, ladies and gentleman, is contempt. We are here because the defendant has contempt for Congress.

"He has contempt for our system of government and does not believe he has to abide by the rules. Find him guilty."

Bannon's attorney's arguments 

Meanwhile, Bannon's attorney, Evan Corcoran, maintained that the House committee had targeted his client because of Bannon's long relationship with the Republican former president. He also suggested that the prosecution's main witness was biased against Bannon.

Related News

US Congress certifies Trump, Vance win, sparing new Capitol riot

Trump to potentially face indictment on Jan. 6 Capitol riots today

"Why was Steve Bannon singled out?" Corcoran told the jury, turning his focus on Kristin Amerling, the House committee's chief counsel and the government's main witness.

Amerling's work for Democratic lawmakers and her acknowledged contributions to Democratic political candidates were mentioned by Corcoran. The witness had previously testified that she had known one of the prosecutors, Gaston, for about 15 years when they both worked for former Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. They were also members of the same book club.

Read next: Jan. 6 panel makes contempt case against former Trump aides

"Why did Ms. Amerling want to make an example of Steve Bannon? It’s an election year," the attorney said.

Final arguments followed Bannon's lawyers' decision not to call any witnesses in the case. Bannon's lawyer, David Schoen, told US District Judge Carl Nichols on Thursday that his client had decided not to testify because the court had barred the legal team from raising a number of defenses, including that Bannon was exempt from complying with the subpoena because he believed Trump had invoked executive privilege.

Bannon charged with 2 counts of contempt

Bannon is charged with two counts of contempt, one for failing to appear for the deposition and another for failing to produce documents.

Each count carries a minimum of 30 days in jail and a maximum of one year in prison, as well as a $100,000 fine.

Federal prosecutors rested their case against Bannon on Wednesday after only two witnesses testified, including Amerling, who told the jury that the former Trump aide defied the panel's demand for documents and testimony despite the threat of criminal prosecution.

Amerling, the committee's deputy staff director, said Bannon was repeatedly warned that if he did not produce the required information and appear for a deposition, he would face contempt charges, but he failed to meet every deadline outlined in the Sept. 23, 2021 subpoena.

Amerling stated that in correspondence with Bannon attorney Robert Costello, the lawyer never requested an extension of the deadlines or suggested that his client lacked information relevant to the committee's investigation. Rather, Costello contended that Bannon was protected by executive privilege.

"The select committee's position was this was not a valid rationale for refusing to comply," Amerling said, adding that the committee never received a notice – "formal or informal" – that Trump invoked executive privilege related to Bannon.

  • US Congress
  • Steve Bannon
  • Donald Trump
  • January 6

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS