Sunday, November 14, 2021

Steve Bannon, a former political strategist for former US President Donald Trump, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for contempt of Congress. Bannon had been refusing to comply with subpoenas issued by the US House of Representatives committee investigating the 2021 US Capitol attack. This comes after the House voted to refer the matter to the Department of Justice last month for consideration.

Bannon is facing two counts of contempt of Congress relating to his failure to appear at a deposition and for failing to turn over subpoenaed documents. The inquest also warned former White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, that it may also refer him to the Department of Justice for his failure to appear.

If Bannon is convicted, he could face up to a year in federal prison and a fine of US$100,000. However, contempt of Congress is a difficult charge to litigate. The last successful conviction was in 1974 against a conspirator in the Watergate scandal. This is the first time since 1983 that someone has been charged with this offence.