9 House Republicans vote with Democrats to hold Steve Bannon in contempt for defying Jan. 6 subpoena

Just nine House Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues in voting to hold former Trump adviser Steve Bannon in criminal contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with subpoenas from the Jan. 6 select committtee seeking testimony and documents related to the Capitol riot, NBC News reports.
Select committee members Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) were among the nine GOPers to approve the measure. Thursday's final vote was 229-202, with all Democrats moving in tandem.
The issue now moves to the Department of Justice, which will decide whether or not to bring criminal charges against Bannon. It's "a significant escalation in the Jan. 6 committee's efforts to enforce subpoenas against Trump allies who refuse to cooperate," writes Axios.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Steve Bannon has led us down this path by refusing to cooperate in any way with our investigation," Jan. 6 Committee Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said on the House floor ahead of the vote.
Contempt of Congress could result in a fine and a jail term of up to 12 months, notes The Wall Street Journal.
Earlier Thursday, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Department of Justice "will do what it always does," should there be a successful referral. "We'll apply the facts and the law and make a decision consistent with the principles of prosecution."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
5 Post Office-approved cartoons about mail-in voting
Cartoons Artists take on reverse logic, Putin's election advice, and more
-
The battle of the weight-loss drugs
Talking Point Can Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly regain their former stock market glory? A lot is riding on next year's pills
-
Codeword: August 24, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'