Steve Bannon, one of the main allies of former US President Donald Trump and a figure of influence on the global right, was convicted on Friday (22) of contempt, for disregarding subpoenas of the committee investigating the attack on the Capitol. The decision is a victory for the Democrat-led panel.
The jury found Bannon, 68, guilty on the two charges he faced: refusing to testify and turning over documents to the House of Representatives committee investigating the riot sparked by Trump supporters on Jan. 2020
Each disrespect for Congress is punishable by a penalty ranging from 30 days to one year in prison, as well as a fine ranging from US$100 (R$549) to US$100,000 (R$549,000). The jury’s verdict, made up of eight men and four women, came after less than three hours of deliberations, marking the first successful trial for contempt of Congress since 1974, when a judge found guilty G. Gordon Liddy, a conspirator in Watergate scandal, which led to the president’s resignation of Richard Nixon.
Bannon was one of the top advisers to the Republican’s 2016 presidential campaign and the following year he served as his chief White House strategist, until Trump became angry with him over statements made to the press. Bannon also plays a prominent role in the right-wing media.
