DOJ requests 6-month prison sentence for Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress
The U.S. Department of Justice asked a federal judge on Monday to sentence Steve Bannon, the one-time chief strategist for former President Donald Trump, to six months in prison and a $200,000 fine for contempt of Congress.
The DOJ filed a sentencing memorandum in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where federal prosecutors said Bannon's refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House Committee investigating Jan. 6 was a "sustained, bad-faith contempt of Congress."
"[Bannon] flouted the Committee's authority and ignored the subpoena's demands," the memorandum added. "To this day the defendant has not produced a single document to the Committee or appeared for testimony."
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 memorandum noted the Committee repeatedly asked Bannon to produce documents and testify about his alleged role in the Jan. 6 attack. When Bannon did not do so, the Committee subpoenaed him, but he similarly refused to comply, leading to his being indicted on contempt of Congress charges.
Bannon is slated to be sentenced on Oct. 21, which NBC noted will be exactly one year after he was held in contempt. Prosecutors argued that he "deserves severe punishment" for the charges he faces, but Bannon's lawyers are set to publish their own memorandum with a sentencing recommendation later Monday, Forbes reported.
This is not the only legal issue that the former White House adviser is facing, as Bannon was also charged in New York on charges of money laundering and conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to those counts.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published