Prosecutors ask judge to order Steve Bannon to report to prison
The one-time adviser to Donald Trump was handed a four-month prison sentence and $6,500 fine
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Federal prosecutors have asked the judge overseeing Steve Bannon’s prison term to reverse a stay on his sentence now that an appeals court has upheld his contempt of Congress conviction.
Prosecutors requested that Judge Carl Nichols overturn the stay on Mr Bannon’s four-month sentence following the appeals court’s decision, stating that “there is no legal basis” to continue the stay, in a motion filed in US District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday.
Mr Bannon was convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House January 6 committee to testify and provide documents in the case.
The political strategist, who previously served as an adviser to former president Donald Trump, was sentenced to four months in prison and hit with a $6,500 fine in October 2022.
Mr Bannon appealed the sentence, prompting the judge to issue a stay on his prison term.
On Friday, Judge Bradley Garcia issued a formal denial of that request.
In a ruling from the appeals court, Judge Garcia wrote: “As both this court and the Supreme Court have repeatedly explained, a contrary rule would contravene the text of the contempt statute and hamstring Congress’s investigatory authority.”
He added: “Because we have no basis to depart from that binding precedent, and because none of Bannon’s other challenges to his convictions have merit, we affirm.”
Since Mr Bannon’s appeal was not successful, prosecutors said: “Consequently, there is no longer a ‘substantial question of law that is likely to result in a reversal or an order for a new trial. Under these circumstances, the Court ‘shall order’ defendant ‘be detained’ so the stay of sentence must be lifted.”
Judge Nichols has not issued a ruling on the matter but ordered Mr Bannon to respond to the motion by Thursday. The Independent emailed the office of David I Schoen, Mr Bannon’s attorney, for comment.
The attorney has asked to file his response on 20 May, in a move that was opposed by Department of Justice prosecutors, according to court documents. If granted, Mr Bannon will have more time on the outside before his prison term begins.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments