Prosecutors had recommended a six-month prison sentence and a $200,000 fine
THE Steve Bannonhis former close associate Donald Trump at the White House, was sentenced today to four months in prison for refusing to cooperate with the congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
That sentence, which is accompanied by a $6,500 fine, will not be carried out until his appeal is heard, if he exercises that right, said Judge Carl Nichols of the federal court in Washington.
Bannon was found guilty in July of two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to hand over documents or testify to the investigation when subpoenaed by the Committee of the House of Representatives which is investigating the attack on the Capitol and efforts by Trump allies to overturn the election result of the 2020 presidential election. Each charge carries a minimum sentence of one month and a maximum of one year in prison, as well as a fine of up to $100,000. Prosecutors on Monday asked the judge to sentence him to six months in prison. Bannon, “is not above the law and that’s why this case is important”, commented today the prosecutor J.P. Cooney.
Bannon, 68, was an adviser to Trump’s 2016 campaign and then took over the president’s White House strategy. He was the one who pushed the populist “America First” politics and the anti-immigration rhetoric that defined Trump’s presidency. He also played a key role in the right-wing media and promoted right-wing candidates in the US and abroad.
Today, he refused to speak in court before his sentence was announced. His lawyer, David Shen, said Bannon followed his lawyers’ advice not to comply with the subpoena after Trump invoked the president’s “executive privilege,” which prevents the release of certain communications from White. House.
According to the Commission, Bannon spoke to Trump at least twice a day before the attack, participated in a meeting at a Washington hotel and said in a podcast that “all hell is going to break loose tomorrow.”
At his trial, prosecutors called only two witnesses, while his defense attorneys called none. Bannon chose not to testify. His lawyers said they would appeal.
In addition to Bannon, former White House counsel Peter Navarro has also been indicted for contempt of Congress on the same grounds. His trial has been set for November 17.
Today’s ruling does not end Bannon’s run-ins with the law. He was indicted in New York in September on money laundering and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say he misled donors who gave money to build Trump’s promised wall on the southern PA border with Mexico. For this case, if found guilty, he can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. Trump pardoned him last year on similar charges at the federal level.
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
