Steve Bannon subpoenaed by special counsel
Former Trump aide also subpoenaed to answer Intelligence Committee questions
Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has reportedly been issued with a subpoena by special counsel Robert Mueller to appear before a grand jury.
The New York Times reports that the subpoena was issued last week, and is “the first time Mueller is known to have used a grand jury subpoena to seek information from a member of Trump’s inner circle.”
However, the paper says that the subpoena from Mueller may be a “negotiating tactic”, and that Mueller may be willing to allow Bannon to be questioned by investigators in a more informal setting.
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.
The subpoena is also a sign that Bannon is “not personally the focus of the inquiry”, as Justice Department rules prohibit prosecutors from issuing subpoenas to the target of investigations except in rare circumstances.
Revelation of the special counsel subpoena came on the same day Bannon was issued a separate subpoena from the House Intelligence Committee, which is conducting its own probe into alleged links between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Bannon reportedly refused to answer a range of questions during a “combative closed-door interview” with the committee, “frustrating members of both parties,” the Washington Post says.
Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, told media that Bannon’s lawyer said the former White House aide “was willing to answer our questions but under instructions from the White House not to.”
“This was the first time we saw a witness refuse to answer the questions under the instructions of the White House or claim that the White House might later invoke privilege,” Schiff said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
FBI: US violent crime falls again, hits pre-Covid levels
Speed Read A wide-ranging report found that violent crime dropped 3% in the last year, while murder dropped 11.6%
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge rejects Trump bid to make NY case federal
Speed Read Judge Alvin Hellerstein refused Trump's motion to transfer his criminal case to federal court
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump ally Bannon reports to prison
Speed Read He will serve a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump won't testify as trial enters final phase
Speed Read Despite his public insistence on testifying, Trump's defense team called two witnesses, "neither of them the former president"
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump hush money trial: what has the jury heard?
Today's Big Question Former loyal fixer Michael Cohen proves star witness for prosecution, but Stormy Daniels's graphic testimony could offer grounds for appeal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
New York prosecutors lay out case against Trump
Speed Read The former president's first criminal trial started in earnest Monday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mobsters jailed by Giuliani are 'thrilled' with his RICO prosecution. Former fans are sad.
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published