Prosecutors allege Bannon thought he was “above the law” when he refused to comply with Jan. 6 committee subpoena. Stephen Bannon served as the White House’s chief strategist in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump during the first seven months of Trump’s term.
The prosecution and defense made their statements in the criminal contempt case against top Trump adviser Steve Bannon where the House Jan. 6 select committee is preparing for a primetime hearing on Thursday focusing on former President Trump’s alleged inaction during the assault on the Capitol.
Bannon is charged with two counts of criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a September 2021 subpoena from the select committee, which had demanded he sit for an October deposition and hand over documents relevant to its probe by October 7.
Prosecutors characterized Bannon’s alleged crimes as a simple refusal to comply with a lawful request from Congress, free of the chaos and drama of the Jan. 6 attack itself.
Vaughn said Bannon was warned again, later in October, that if he did not comply with the committee’s requests, he could face criminal prosecution.
“He’s innocent of the charges,” Bannon attorney Evan Corcoran responded in his opening statement, arguing the case wasn’t as clear as the government described it.
Bannon is the first of two former Trump aides charged with criminal contempt of Congress to stand trial. Former trade adviser Peter Navarro was also indicted after refusing to comply with a Jan. 6 committee subpoena and is set to stand trial in November, after pleading not guilty.
