(PartiallyPolitics.com) – A federal court has mandated that Steve Bannon, once an adviser to former President Donald Trump, commence his four-month prison term in July while he continues to challenge his conviction for contempt of Congress.
Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Trump, concurred with the prosecution during a Wednesday hearing, setting Bannon’s self-surrender deadline for July 1. This decision followed a rejection of Bannon’s appeal by a three-judge panel the previous month.
“The government’s motion is granted,” Nichols stated. Bannon had resisted this decision, declaring his intention to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court if needed, and argued for his freedom during the appeal process.
In 2022, Bannon was convicted for not attending a deposition and not providing documents requested by the now-dissolved House January 6 committee.
Following the appellate court’s dismissal of Bannon’s appeal last month, the Justice Department sought his immediate imprisonment, indicating that there was no significant legal question remaining that could lead to a reversal or a new trial. “We believe it is the exact opposite. It is unlikely,” prosecutor John Crabb commented.
In court documents, Bannon’s attorney argued there was “no basis” for his immediate imprisonment, suggesting that the appeal had not yet been considered by a court with the authority to overturn the precedent sustaining his conviction.
“This case is going to have to be decided by the Supreme Court,” David Schoen, Bannon’s lawyer, expressed during the hearing, a statement that made Judge Nichols visibly react.
Schoen, together with Evan Corcoran—who also represented Trump in his classified documents case—defended Bannon. Before the hearing started, Bannon, who remained mostly silent and observant during the session, was seen conversing with Corcoran.
Bannon, like former Trump adviser Peter Navarro—who is currently serving his four-month sentence on similar charges—was one of the two individuals convicted for defying the January 6 committee’s orders.
Bannon hinted at challenging the judge’s directive, set for the following day, to surrender by July 1.
Copyright 2024, PartiallyPolitics.com
