Steve Bannon will testify against Roger Stone, prosecutors reveal

Federal prosecutors said in court Wednesday that Steve Bannon, President Trump's former campaign chairman and White House chief strategist, will testify against longtime Trump political adviser Roger Stone in his trial. Stone is being charged with lying to Congress, obstructing justice, and witness tampering in a case stemming from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Stone pleaded not guilty.

Bannon is expected to testify about his and Stone's communications regarding WikiLeaks and its distribution of Democratic emails and other documents hacked by Russian operatives. The prosecutors are signaling that Bannon is "going to be a key witness in this case," and his testimony will be "super critical" to their case, CNN's Shimon Prokupecz said Wednesday evening.

Bannon is not a voluntary witness, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told CNBC, but he his being compelled to testify after he and his legal team tried to fend off numerous subpoenas. Prosecutors also said they will bring in Rick Gates, a Trump campaign vice chairman and presidential transition official, to testify against Stone. Gates was a cooperating witness in the Mueller investigation.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up