Former Trump Advisor Steve Bannon’s Conviction for Contempt of Congress Upheld by DC Appeals Court
The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit recently upheld the conviction of former President Trump’s ex-advisor Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress. This conviction stemmed from Bannon’s noncompliance with a US House of Representatives subpoena related to the investigation of the violent January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
House Resolution 503 Creates Committee to Investigate Capitol Attack
In the summer of 2021, the House passed House Resolution 503, establishing a committee to investigate the events surrounding the January 6 attack. This committee was granted the authority to issue subpoenas for testimony and documents, as well as propose necessary legislation based on its findings.
Bannon’s Refusal to Comply with Subpoena Leads to Conviction
After it was discovered that Bannon discussed efforts to overturn the 2020 election results close to January 6, 2021, and made ominous predictions about the events of that day, the committee subpoenaed him for documents and testimony regarding his communications with Trump and others. Despite the subpoena, Bannon did not comply and was subsequently convicted of contempt of Congress.
Grounds for Bannon’s Appeal
Bannon appealed his conviction on several grounds, including the alleged misinterpretation of the contempt statute’s “willfully” requirement. He argued that his actions were guided by good faith based on legal advice, but the court rejected this defense based on previous legal precedent.
The court also dismissed Bannon’s claims that his conduct was authorized by government officials and that the committee’s subpoena was invalid. It emphasized the importance of raising objections in a timely manner to avoid obstructing the committee’s investigative processes.
Next Steps for Bannon
Bannon now has the option to file a petition for writ of certiorari with the US Supreme Court within 90 days of the appellate court’s judgment. This could potentially offer him another opportunity to challenge his conviction.
Read More of this Story at www.jurist.org – 2024-05-11 15:14:41
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